Visitors from across the world will flock to Stonehaven this weekend to enjoy a traditional Scottish spectacle.
Strongmen, athletes, dancers and pipe bands from across the north-east and beyond will take part in the Stonehaven Highland Games on Sunday.
About 100 Highland dancers have signed up for the event, and the Scottish Amateur Tug o’ War Championships will also be held at the games ground at Mackie Academy playing fields for the first time.
As a warm up to the main event, there will be a mini games on Saturday for all school age children.
The young competitors will compete in events including the 400m and 800m races, long jump, high jump, tossing the caber and tug o’ war.
Games secretary Paulene (corr) McEwen said preparations got underway last night, with the track being put down and the equipment gathered.
She said: “It’s all beginning to come together, but it’s all weather dependent.
“We’ve got about 100 Highland dancers signed up and we’re holding the Scottish Amateur Tug o’ War Championships, which is a qualifier for the Europeans – that’s the first time we’ve had the honour of holding that.”
The Stonehaven Highland Games returned in 2014 after a two year hiatus.
It was cancelled in 2012 due to flooding at Mineralwell Park, and in 2013 due to operational reasons, but was a huge success when it returned to a new venue last year.
Ms McEwen said she hoped they would be able to build on that, adding: “Last year we formed a new committee and there was only four of us, and we’ve now taken on board another three that are helping with the pipe band competition and mini games.”
The mini games will run from 1pm-3pm on Saturday. The main event will run from 11am on Sunday.