A popular musical gathering will return this summer for its 27th year – with a performance from a north-east folk icon.
The Stonehaven Folk Festival will open on July 9 and offer a four-day programme of the best in local, Scottish and world-wide talent.
The annual Tradition Bearer concert on Sunday, July 12, will feature legendary folk musician, Norman Kennedy, joined by Chris Hendry, Johnny Handle and Patricia Flynn.
Mr Kennedy was a well known figure on the Aberdeen folk scene in the 1960s and will also play on the Friday evening of the festival.
Born in the city, he went to work on the family farm as a youngster where he honed his talents as a singer and storyteller before moving to the US in 1966.
This year’s event will also feature one of the founding members of the Singing Kettle, Artie Trezise, performing his one man show – Artie’s Tartan Tales.
Other highlights will include 11-piece Scottish folk supergroup, Trechourous Orchestra and an “Americana” night with Maryland-born country musician, Kate Lissauer.
French-Canadian folk group, Le Vent Du Nord, English folk trio the Young ‘Uns and female four-piece the Poozies are also performing.
Homegrown talent will be celebrated in a north-east showcase ceilidh, featuring the Old Blind Dogs and Tarland fiddler, Paul Anderson, and an aqua ceilidh at Stonehaven Outdoor Pool.
Festival chairman Charlie West said he was “dead chuffed” with this year’s billing, adding: “We always deliberately look for some well-known bands that we know will be popular, and then introduce something different.
“The Young ‘Uns we saw last year and thought they were just amazing, and we have been trying to get Treacherous Orchestra for about three years. They are just a stunning band live, very visual. I think the Sunday night will be quite lively and I think we have got a good balance across the whole weekend.”
On securing Mr Kennedy, Mr West, said: “A lot of people don’t know who he is because he has been away so long, we have been very lucky. I think the Friday night will be something interesting.”
Ticket can be bought at www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk