An Aberdeenshire highland games will be taking its annual celebration of Scottish tradition online this year to mark what would have been the big day.
The Ballater Highland Games, which was due to be held on August 13, was called off earlier this summer alongside other events all across Scotland due to the pandemic.
But to keep the spirit of the games alive, those behind the event have organised a whole day of online events.
Competitors of all kinds have been invited to send in videos or photos of themselves taking part in games day favourites such as highland dancing, heavy events, and bagpiping.
Throughout the day on August 13, the committee will post their videos and more on the Ballater Highland Games Facebook page.
A whole programme for the 2020 Ballater “vision games” has been created to match what would usually be taking place in the event’s home of Monaltrie Park, from piping to kick off the day at 10am, to heavy field events and the best-dressed highlander from 1pm, to track events and children’s races at 5pm.
At noon, the committee hopes to raise the games standard in the park in real life, alongside a piper to mark the day, which will be the 72nd year with 101-year-old Captain Alwyne Farquharson presiding as chieftain.
Games vice-chairman Scott Fraser said: “To let the day go by without doing something would be absolutely ridiculous, especially as it will be Captain Farquharson’s 72nd year.
“The most important thing for us is that it will be free. We just want to lift people’s spirits, and keep everyone interested in the games.”
