Crowds gathered in their thousands over the weekend to celebrate the biggest highland games in Scotland.
Over 10,000 people descended on Braemar to watch the 201st gathering get underway, showcasing a range of traditional activities including caber tossing, highland dancing, massed pipe bands and mace throwing.
This year also signified a special year for the patron of the games, the Queen, as she celebrated her 90th birthday only a few months ago.
Despite flurries of rain, the crowd strengthened throughout the day in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royal party.
Her Royal Highness arrived accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, who made their way to the games from Balmoral castle only 15 miles away.
The Queen wore a lilac ensemble with matching hat and black gloves.
Speaking as the secretary of the Braemar Royal Highland society for the first time since taking over from Willie Meston, Jim Wood said: “It’s been a great day; we’ve had a fantastic crowd and some fantastic athletes taking part from all over the region and the world.
“Having the Royals attending also draws in large crowds for us and there is a big level of anticipation to see who is going to arrive.
“There is a lot of pressure to make sure the day is fantastic and a day which people leave with great memories but I think we’ve pulled it off again.”
President of the society, David Geddes, added: “It’s a great turnout and everyone was welcomed to Braemar in the morning with glorious sunshine.
“Everyone always waits with excitement to see which of the royals turn up, and it’s never a disappointment.”
The tradition of the games remained unchanged; however for one special guest the day was quite out of the ordinary.
For the first time since 1981, Robbie Shepherd MBE, did not take on the commentary of the games.
After more than three decades of narrating the games, Saturday was the day Mr Shepherd handed over the microphone to Robert Lovie.
Mr Shepherd said: “I arrived this morning at the same time as I would do if I had been commentating, out of habit, as I love to see how the whole day unfolds.
“I brought my sister-in-law and she said she had been blown away by not only the build-up for the day but the level of excitement throughout and I’m sure she’s not the only one.
“For me the gathering is really home and when I first arrived this morning, I said ‘who has stolen my mic’ because I have had so many wonderful memories from the games.
“One of the things I admire most about the games, there is no jealousy or animosity among competitors, but rather a great feeling and a great admiration for everyone taking part and that really is the spirit of the games.
“I can’t put the feeling of the gathering into words but it has and always will be very special to me.”
Another returning visitor to the games was 72-year-old Bert Summers, drum major for the Turriff and District pipe band.
Whilst his band were unable to attend, Mr Summers joined the massed pipe band as he had done for the last 49 years at Braemar.
He said: “This is my 49th year at the Braemar gathering and every year is just as brilliant as the last.
“Braemar is always a fantastic crowd to perform in front of and it’s truly an honour to be here.”
