A Moray Highland Games event has received a boost as organisers prepare to expand it to two days for the first time in a century.
Gordon Castle staff are making final arrangements for this month’s gathering, which last took place across an entire weekend more than 100 years ago.
Their spirits were lifted yesterday when whisky giant Glenfiddich stepped in to sponsor the event.
The distillery began financially backing Highland Games contests in 1983, and has pledged thousands towards upcoming heavy events competitions across the north-east.
About 10,000 people are expected to descend on Fochabers from across the world for the games.
Those attending have been asked to pay homage to its glory days between the 1900s and 1940s when it regularly drew in more than 30,000 people.
The crowds have been asked to reflect fashion trends at that time by wearing bowler caps and hobble skirts.
The Glenfiddich Distillery is sponsor of the Grampian Highland Games, meaning it is providing support for 13 events this year.
The Gordon Castle gathering is the most recent addition to that portfolio, which also includes games at Tomintoul and Dufftown in Moray.
And it will be the first of the 13 taking place across the region this summer.
The event will begin on Saturday, May 20, and conclude the following day.
Saturday will feature big band performances and vintage vehicle displays.
Sunday’s programme features all the traditions of a Highland Games, including a world-record attempt in the Scottish 28lb distance championships.
The Glenfiddich Distillery’s Royan Graham said: “I’ll be in amongst all the action on the field, cheering on the heavy athletes and hoping for some record-breaking performances to impress the crowds.”
