The tunesmith behind some of the biggest chart hits of the 1960s helped ensure a Moray Highland games gathering struck the right note on Saturday.
Legendary songwriter Bill Martin penned lyrics for Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, the Bay City Rollers and Sandie Shaw during his heyday.
At the weekend the 76-year-old was the guest of honour at the Dufftown Highland Games, attending as a favour to new chieftain Alex Grant.
He said: “I had never been to a Highland Games before so it was a learning experience for me, but I thought it was terrific.
“I especially enjoyed watching the tug of war, as it brought back memories of when I used to do that myself in the Boys Brigade.
“And I loved the Highland dancing displays as well.”
Saturday’s gathering was Alex Grant’s first as chieftain, and he said he hoped Mr Martin’s appearance will be the first of many celebrity visits in years to come.
He said: “The whole event was just wonderful, and I think everyone who came along thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“This was my first games as chieftain, and I was lucky that the weather held out for the day.
“Last year we had 5,000 people attend and I reckon we had at least the same amount of folk visit on Saturday.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead hit it off so well with Mr Martin that he agreed to take him on a visit to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.
Mr Lochhead said: “The organisers of Dufftown Highland Games put on a spectacular event, attracting thousands of visitors both from Moray and around the globe.
“It was great to catch up with the new chieftain, Alex Grant, who I am sure will have been delighted by the standard of competition on display, the excellent variety of local stall holders, and the fantastic atmosphere, which all contributed to the Games being a huge success.”
Mr Martin wrote the UK’s first winning Eurovision entry, Puppet on a String, and hits including Congratulations, My Boy and Shang-A-Lang.
Mr Martin was awarded an MBE for services to music and charities in Scotland last year.
