A world champion will be the traditional lone piper at this weekend’s Highland Military Tattoo at Fort George near Inverness.
Sandy Cameron, pipe sergeant with juvenile world champions, Dollar Academy Pipe Band, will play solo as the event comes to an end, before the performers march out of the arena.
Part of the programme of Highland Homecoming 2014 events the tattoo, taking place over three nights between Friday and Sunday, coincides with the staging of a celebrated piping competition in Inverness.
The Northern Meeting attracts contestants from all over the world, including Mr Cameron, as they vie for various prizes at both junior and senior grades, and will take place at Eden Court Theatre from Thursday to Saturday.
Adding even more skirl to the weekend will be eight massed bands performing at Fort George, including the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band, with RAF Lossiemouth, and Gordonstoun School, also represented.
Other attractions at the tattoo, which will start with a flypast of RAF Typhoon jets and end with a spectacular fireworks display, include a performance from the Hellcats ensemble, the oldest military band in the US.
A shuttle bus service will run to and from Inverness and Nairn bus stations, operated by Stagecoach, and calling at Inverness Retail Park and Ardersier en route.
Buses leave Inverness at 5.45pm, 6pm, 6.15pm, and 6.30pm, and Nairn at 6.30pm, with the doors opening at Fort George at 6.15pm, and the performance taking place between 8pm and 9.30pm.
Tickets are also available from Eden Court box office on 01463 234234, or at the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George.