A popular Oban festival has been given a special showcase at the Scottish Parliament.
Representatives from the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival invited some of the leading luminaries to perform for politicians and invited guests at Holyrood.
The event was sponsored by Highlands and Islands MSP, Mike MacKenzie, and was also attended by Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop.
The festival takes place over three days at the first May Bank Holiday every year and involves Highland dancing competitions, and competitions in fiddle, accordion, piping, clarsach, recorder, piano, drumming, woodwind, brass and singing.
The Scottish Area Highland Dancing Finals take place at the festival and the Scottish Choreography Challenge provides an excellent spectacle.
Riona MacCormick of the organising committee said: “Mike MacKenzie presented some awards at the choreography competition and he was really impressed with the whole event. He suggested he could sponsor an event for us to showcase at the Scottish Parliament.
“We took six dancers from the central belt and some local young musicians, including Ally MacLean on the pipes, Anna Garvin on piano, Hannah Gillies on guitar and accordion and Merle Harbron on fiddle.
“It was very successful. We met a lot of people. It was really to network and make contacts with people who may be able to help the festival in the future.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scotland’s thriving cultural scene is one of our greatest assets. There are more than 400 festivals in Scotland, attracting visitors from across the globe and demonstrating the richness of our culture and diversity.
“The Oban festival is a celebration of traditional arts and an excellent example of an event that supports and encourages young talent as well as established professionals. Not only does it enrich performing arts in Scotland, but the tourism it generates also brings clear economic benefits to shops, hotels, restaurants and the wider local economy.
“The 33rd annual Oban Festival in 2016 is expected to have over 1,100 participants and promises to be another successful event.
“It was my pleasure to attend the HiFest reception, a showcase of performers from the Oban Festival at the Scottish Parliament last night.”