Hundreds of men followed in their forefathers’ footsteps as the marched through the glens of Strathdon at the weekend, continuing one of the north-east’s oldest, cultural traditions.
Clad in Highland regalia and wielding their eight ft pikes and Lochaber axes, the 164 men set off on their ceremonial procession to the 174th Lonach Gathering early on Saturday morning.
Men of all backgrounds and ages took part in the historic Lonach Highlanders’s march – from 75-year-old marshalling sergeant George Thomson, of Strathdon, to 16-year-old Calum Wilson, of Fettercairn.
Nearly 10,000 people turned out for the Highland Games in Bellabeg, and enjoyed the spectacle of not just the marchers but the traditional heavyweights, such as caber tossing and shot putt, Highland dancing and piping throughout the day.
Joining the men of Lonach at Saturday’s event were five pipe bands from across the country.
Derek Dean, drum major of the Huntly and District Pipe Band, said Lonach was one of his favourite events on the Highland games calendar.
Mr Dean, whose family has been in the Huntly and District band for four generations, said: “We’ve only been coming to Lonach in earnest for the last 15 years, but it’s one of the highlights of our year.
“We really enjoy Lonach, the bands are always really well looked after and well fed, it’s one of the best and most well organised in the country.
“We love it because it’s such a nice, friendly, family-focused affair, and of course there’s always plenty of whisky involved.
“The beauty of being a member of a band is that when you’ve got your uniform on, you’re all the same, no matter where you come from or what you do, when you’ve got a uniform on you’re just one of the guys, it’s a great thing.”
Lonach has attracted a great number of celebrities in the past due to the support of comedian Billy Connolly, who until last year owned the nearby Candacraig House with his wife Pamela.
The late Robin Williams, actor Steve Martin and Dame Judi Dench are among the star spotted at the games in previous years, however the Big Yin and pals were notably absent from their usual spot in the stands on Saturday.
But the event drew around 8,500 visitors through its gates regardless, most of whom were dressed up in their finest highland attire, with some even choosing to dress their dogs up in kilts for the occasion.
But if any animal stole the show it was Socks the horse, a six-year-old Irish heavy cob, who made his debut pulling the cart at the back of the Lonach men’s march.
After wowing the crowds in the arena with his debut performance, some of his new fans hopped on for a ride.
Jennifer Stewart, the secretary of the Lonach Highland and Friendly society, said: “Socks, our new horse, was given a wonderful reception when he made his entrance onto the games field.
“He also received a lot of attention from visitors, which he took in his stride. I’m sure we have a real star in the making.
“There was an incredible atmosphere here at Lonach once again this year. The day was dry, except for the odd light shower, creating good conditions in which to enjoy the friendly games.”