Organisers hailed this year’s Thunder in the Glens rally as a resounding success with thousands of bikers descending on Aviemore over the weekend for the annual gathering.
The sold out event was based at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort with the last of three concerts taking place last night.
Bikers headed out on rides through the spectacular scenery along the shores of Lochindorb, through Grantown on Spey and then on a loop around the Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge and back to Grantown.
There was some disruption to road users along the route but police worked hard with organisers to minimise delays.
One of the traditional bike rides from Aviemore through Glenmore to the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre had to be cancelled yesterday due to high winds on the hills.
Although two other ride out routes were arranged for bikers to Culloden Moor and the Speyside Distillery.
An estimated 11,000 people lined the streets of Aviemore to watch the bikers take to the road, a good turnout despite the wet rainy weather.
Yesterday organiser George McGuire said: “Though the weather hasn’t been favourable it has not dampened spirits at all. We cancelled the Rocky Mountain ride out to Cairngorm because of high winds.
“Tonight we are looking forward to the professional musicians of the Creedence Clearwater Revival group that will be playing.”
Mr McGuire said his personal highlight was watching how the local community had taken to the Thunder in the Glens event which is officially the largest Harley-Davidson rally in the UK.
He said: “It has been fantastic the way the community has come out for us, they are so warm and welcoming.
“I was talking to a couple of Norwegians at breakfast and they said that it was like sitting with your neighbours.
“The benefit of that is that all the people here have grown together, grown up and grown closer, and to share that with them is really special.”
He added: “The increasing interaction with locals in Aviemore and Grantown that continues to grow is so heart-warming to see.”
