The virtual Peterhead Scottish Week has been hailed a success as thousands took part in the annual celebration from home.
Organisers of popular events across the world were left with no other choice but to postpone this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, those behind the traditional Peterhead Scottish Week extravaganza were determined to continue – in some form – to entertain families despite lockdown.
Crowds would normally line the streets for the festivities, but for its 59th year it was all broadcast online with people from all over the north-east as well as audiences from Australia and America tuning in.
Scottish Week chairwoman Karen Day said the virtual version has been “very well received”.
She said: “The response this year has been much larger than we expected it to be and it’s been a huge learning curve for us.
“Overall it has been a very successful week with some taking part in more than one event which was great to see. The talent show was a highlight for me as it really showed the talent our town has to offer.
“Normally you’d bump into people you haven’t seen since the previous Scottish Week.
“Normally people from abroad would come along while visiting their families so it’s good they’ve still been able to join in this year.”
Natasha Cleuit was crowned the Buchan Queen and Carolyn Carville and Rhainnah Slamakar took on the princess roles for a second time.
In line with government restrictions, Miss Clueit took to the throne in a small and socially-distanced ceremony streamed live on the festival’s Facebook page.
Entertainment throughout the week also included live music, bingo and a dance competition.
Ms Day said: “The events have tied in with the summer holidays and have given children and families something to do.”
The committee will now start planning what to do for the 60th event next summer.
Ms Day said: “We’ll discuss what went well and what maybe didn’t go so well. It’s possible next year could be a blend of online and proper events. The poetry competition was a first for us this year and that was very well received.
“The baby competition also worked very well online too as well as the ‘who’s behind the mask competition’.”
While the virtual Scottish Week has been a hit, Ms Day said the “only down side is that donations for next years event have been coming in slowly”.
Anyone willing to donate towards funding next year’s instalment can contribute via Paypal using donate@scottishweek.co.uk
