A popular cycling event brought 4,200 riders onto the roads around sunny Loch Ness yesterday.
Organisers hailed Etape Loch Ness, a 66-mile cycle around the loch from Inverness, as the “biggest and best” yet.
Entries increased by more than 30% from last year, with cyclists taking in Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston, Fort Augustus and Dores before reaching the finish line in Inverness.
Relatives and friends of competitors, as well as village residents, lined the route to support the riders as they powered their way around the course.
Inverness’s Commonwealth Games mountain biker Lee Craigie finished as the fastest woman in the field for the second time in a row, in a time of 2hr 57m 51 sec.
The first male rider across the finish line was James Davidson from Aberdeen in 2hr 53m 37sec.
Both cyclists were also named “King and Queen of the mountain,” after completing the quickest climbs of a testing hill challenge at Glendoe outside Fort Augustus.
Mr Davidson made the top in 21m 13sec while Ms Craigie took 23m and 55sec.
They were each presented with a red polka dot jersey by Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson.
Event director Malcolm Sutherland said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the biggest Etape Loch Ness so far was also the best.
“We’ve had some fantastic feedback and it’s a joy to see that the months of planning and organisation were all worth it.
“Since our first sportive in 2014, we have strived to spread the word about cycling in the Highlands and we’re delighted to have been able to bring more riders than ever before to the area this April.
“Everyone involved in organising Etape Loch Ness would like to offer a huge thank you to all of our partner agencies, communities along the route and the public, without whose support Etape Loch Ness would not be able to run.”
