Tours through Royal Deeside’s forests and farmland were among the activities which launched an annual celebration of Aberdeenshire culture.
The Food and Fiddle Fortnight is well and truly under way with venues, estates and even working farms getting involved in the showcase event.
The festival – which will feature 60 events in total – has already offered a Land Rover safari through the area in glorious sunshine, organised by the Glen Tanar Estate.
Just up the road, Ballater’s Deeside Inn hosted an evening of traditional music with Alasdair Johnston.
Dinnet’s Glendaven Hotel was the venue for a Highland Hamper feast and Bagpipe Breakfast, while an open day on Wark Farm at Cushnie was also a success.
Moira Gash, project co-ordinator at Visit Royal Deeside, said the fortnight was living up to its aim of reminding people of the unique music, culture and traditions of the north-east of Scotland.
She added: “From the feedback from the people we have spoke to it’s been good, the likes of Glendaven Hotel was full and the Braemar Castle afternoon tea appeared to be popular.
“The Deeside Inn have been delighted with all the things they have put on.”
She added: “We have got a lot more music in this year and people are embracing the fact that a lot of people want to see and hear traditional music.
“I think what sometimes happens when you live in an area is you are used to being surrounded by it, you don’t think of it being unusual until you speak to a visitor.”
She added that the loss of such tourist draws as Ballater’s Royal Station earlier in the year had not put people off visiting the area.
Mrs Gash said: “There is far more to Ballater than just the station and I think the festival can only help promote the area and say ‘we’re open for business’.”
Events are being held every day until Sunday, October 18.
More information can be found at
http://visitroyaldeeside.com
.