Hundreds of colourful knitted birds will be hidden around a Deeside village this week as part an award-winning arts festival.
Artists, actors and music lovers of all skills and abilities will descend on Braemar for the five-day event, which has been extended due to demand.
Organisers of the Braemar Creative Arts Festival have added new activities to this year’s line-up, including the ukulele, needle-felting and the chance to get up close to wildlife with Merseyside photographer Ron Thomas.
More than 50 classes will be held including the fiddle, drums, chanter and the mandolin, creative writing, drama, poetry, oil painting, paper folding and willow weaving.
Families can also take pick up a trail map and hunt for knitted birds hidden around the village. Last year, the squirrel hunt proved so popular that this year’s knitters have created 250 flamingos, parrots, oyster catchers and owls that will be stashed around the village.
The bird hunt is part of the festival fringe, with other activities including drop-in demonstrations, live music in the street and an art and craft market in St Margaret’s Church on Saturday.
Marilyn Baker, one of the organisers, said: “We’re really looking forward to getting things started and are hoping for a good crowd. Most of the classes are selling well – drama has been very popular, and the ukulele is proving extremely popular.
“Thanks to word of mouth, the festival is getting known round about here and the tutors are actually contacting us to say they would like to take part.”
The festival, which picked up the Scottish Epic Award earlier this year, will run from tomorrow to Sunday.
There will be a pre-festival curry and music night tonight at Braemar Lodge, with performances from Orkney musicians Fiona Driver and Graham Simpson, the Blaeberries and the Braemar choir. Booking for the curry night is essential, call 01339 741225.
Spaces are still available for some of the classes. To view the full festival programme, visit braemarcreativearts.co.uk or call 01339 741225.