Fans of Highland Games events are in for a double helping of entertainment this weekend as a pair of the traditional celebrations are held in the north-east.
On Saturday, Pleasure Park in Oldmeldrum will play host to the “sunshine games” – with organisers hopeful that the 89th instalment of the event will live up to that billing despite days of wet weather in the run-up.
The following day, Aberdeen Highland Games will take place at Hazlehead Park.
Secretary for the Oldmedrum event, Gordon Forsyth, said: “Our preparations are well ahead, we were getting everything done while it was still dry.
“We are always hopeful that people will come and support the event.
“Some of our main attractions are the traditional Highland sports such as the tug o’ war and the caber toss, but there are lots of other displays.”
The gathering will commence at 10.30am and will be officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, James Ingleby, at 1pm.
The stars of local wrestling organisation, Wrestlezone, will face off in a series of bouts while there will also be Highland Dancing displays and a variety of stalls.
The Games will conclude with a disco at 9pm, which is open to people aged 16 or older and will run until 1am.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman listed the cavalcade of attractions on offer at the city event, which traditionally attracts 8,000 to 15,000 attendees.
He said: “We will continue to monitor the weather but, with a much-improved weekend forecast and the great efforts of our organising team, we are looking forward to a great day of family fun.
“We will be offering a full programme including traditional Scottish Highland Games competitions, pipe band championships and solo piping competitions, as well as a funfair, family entertainment stage performances, free children’s activities, a craft and food market and a beer tent.
“With this mix of traditional events, the much anticipated charity mascot challenges and fun activities , there really will be something for everyone – even family pets, with the return of the popular dedicated area for dogs.”
The festivities will be opened by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett, and will run from 10am to 5.30pm.
