Large crowds gathered to watch as the Highland Military Tattoo got off to a spectacular start last night.
The annual showpiece at Fort George was warmly received as it returned to the barracks on the Moray Firth for the third year in succession.
The show was helped by the fact that forecast bad weather largely stayed away, although a typically squally Moray Firth wind whipped through the grandstands.
Highlights included commemorations of the battles of the Somme and Jutland, both marking their centenary this year.
A starring role was played by the military wives choirs of Lossiemouth and Inverness who both performed at the Tattoo for the first time.
The show opened with a dramatic flypast by a Eurofighter Typhoon from the squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth before the bands took over, opening with a fanfare from the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland.
This year, the Tattoo was given a naval theme, reflected in a special guest appearance by the Royal Band of the Belgian Navy.
They followed a performance by the massed pipes and drums, showcasing the talents of nine different military, school and community bands from across the Highlands and Moray.
The next attraction was one of the centre-piece features of the pageant – the re-enactment of the Battle of the Somme, led by actors from the Gordon Highlanders 1914-1918, Gruppo Storico Militaria 1848-1918 and the Flanders Jocks.
With the darkness settling over Fort George by the time the Tattoo started, the lighting became more elaborate as the show went on, including illuminations on the walls of the barracks for the first time in the event’s history.
The starring role in the Somme segment was played by Inverness-born Sergeant Brian Taylor of the Highlanders 4SCOTS who recreated the heroic deeds of Drummer Walter Ritchie who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the battle.
In July 1916, at the age of 24, Drummer Ritchie made it to the parapet of an enemy trench north of Beaumont Hamel in France and, under heavy machine-gun fire and bomb attacks, wrested a bugle from a German soldier which he then used to rally his fellow Highlanders to charge.
On the same day, he also carried vital messages over fire-swept ground.
The bugle sounded by Drummer Ritchie is currently on display at the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George as part of its World War I exhibition.
In advance of playing his part in the show, Sgt Taylor, who has appeared at military events across the world, said: “We are descendants of that battalion.
“Being able to recreate the story of a VC recipient, wresting a bugle from a German soldier for a modern audience, is a great thing.”
Another major component of the show was a recreation of the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval conflict of World War I, accompanied by the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland.
The show concluded with a series of rousing tunes including salutes of the Last Post and Flowers of the Forest.
The Tattoo continues with evening performances tonight and tomorrow, as well as a matinee this afternoon.
