Music will play second fiddle to lively discussion at the Belladrum Festival next month.
For a packed schedule of talks, debates and interviews has been arranged in the Verb Garden.
Among the guests will be TV presenter, explorer and marine biologist Monty Hall and rapper Grandmaster Flash, who is also performing on stage at the sellout two-day event.
He will talk about his long career in hip hop.
The controversial former MSP Tommy Sheridan will be in conversation with Sir Maxwell Macleod, while songwriter Billy Bragg and comedian Adrian Edmondson will also be interviewed.
Like Grandmaster Flash, Mr Edmondson is also due to appear on a musical stage, with his band Adrian Emondson & The Bad Shepherds.
Contentious issues such as the recent poisoning of raptors on the Black Isle and the Scottish independence referendum will also be discussed by panels of experts.
Other discussion topics include weight issues associated with the fashion industry, and climate change.
Meanwhile sessions brought to the stage by Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre above Loch Ness feature Scots crime writer Christopher Brookmyre and Katie Morag creator Mairi Hedderwick.
This year’s Belladrum Festival, near Beauly, takes place on August 8 and 9.
The Verb Garden spoken word is sponsored this year by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
There will also be an industry panel for unsigned artists, with guidance from Peter Noble, UHI’s Popular Music Performance lecturer and other industry professionals.
Headlining this year’s event on Friday night is Sir Tom Jones, with indie rock band Razorlight bringing the festival to a close on Saturday.
Frightened Rabbit will return to the event as very special guests.
Family favourites The Singing Kettle have also signed up to appear.