The 2018 Lochaber Music Festival has started in Fort William with dozens of musicians and ensembles vying for one of the 64 awards.
The ewvent is principally devoted to young musicians, but adults regularly get involved as well, particularly to accompany the youngsters.
It is the 44th time the music festival has been staged and it shows no signs of slowing down despite limited funding for school music classes.
This year, there will be a new award in honour of one of the festival’s “great” supporters over the year.
The Joan MacKintosh Memorial Trophy was inaugurated in remembrance of the local piano teacher who died last year.
Prior to her death, Joan MacKintosh learned that some of her own music pupils were taking part in the competition to which she devoted so much of her life.
Festival chairwoman, Lilian MacDonald, was delighted at the fact such an eclectic mixture of musical activity was now underway.
She said: “On Friday and Saturday, the competitions featured 30 young chanter players and pipers and 26 young traditional musicians playing fiddle, clarsach and accordion.
“It was encouraging to see the progress of young people who have participated in the festival over the years and to see how their commitment to traditional music has shown some impressive results.
Ms MacDonald added: “They are ably supported by dedicated teachers and have received much positive advice from adjudicators.”
In the events which have already taken place, the Premier Award for Scottish Traditional Music was won by Cameron MacIsaac of Lochaber High School after he “performed exceptionally.”
Jac Currie of Lochaber High took home the award for Bagpiper Solo Novice and the Bagpiper Quartet was won by Lochaber High School Quarter.
In the Bagpiper Solo First Year, Ronnie MacIntosh took first place, Reinis Cameron came second and Jordan Currie took third.
Some of the winners may also receive the chance to perform in concert together at the discretion of the organisers.
The festival continues today, tomorrow and on Wednesday with strings, vocals, piano, brass, woodwind, group music and drama, Scottish Country Dance and speech classes at venues in and around Fort William.
The grand finale will be staged on Thursday.
