Hundreds of top athletes will take over Eden Court and Bught Park in Inverness this summer as a major international sporting event comes north.
The World Orienteering Championships will be held at various locations in the Highlands and Moray in August.
More than 5,000 spectators and competitors from around 50 nations are expected to take part in the week’s parallel events, and bring millions of pounds into the local economy.
The Eden Court complex will be used as an events centre throughout the week – while thousands of visitors will be allowed to pitch tents at Bught Park for the week,
The world championships will be held alongside the Scottish6Days event, which also brings thousands of amateur orienteers to take part in the lung-busting navigation challenges.
The championships are set to bring a party atmosphere to the Highland Capital, with a marquee containing a licensed bar, catering facilities and a full social programme.
Athletes competing for the world title will take part in long, middle and relay races being held at Darnaway Forest and Glen Affric.
Forres and Nairn are the venues for sprint events, which are held on shorter urban courses.
The Scottish6Days events will be held in Keppernach, Darnaway and Glen Strathfarrar, with the final day staged at Glen Affric.
World championships director Paul McGreal said: “Inverness is a thriving city with many visitor attractions, places to eat and drink and a good range of shops all in a small and compact area.
“We are particularly delighted to be able to site our Event Centre at Eden Court which is also close to the city centre and provides us with world-class facilities for a world-class event.”
Eden Court will host registration for the Scottish6Days as well as the championships office, and will also host the International Orienteering Federation conference during the week..
Scottish6Days spokesman Colin Matheson said he was pleased with the standard of the campsite at Bught Park.
He said: “The campsite will be established on a pleasant, flat and well drained site.
“Parking will be adjacent to the main camping areas which will include mixed, family, quiet and youth areas.
“Buses will run from the campsite to events every day from Saturday, August 1 through to Saturday, August 8.”
Campsite bookings will be made available through the Scottish6Days entries system will be available very shortly.