A trio of pie producers from the same Moray town are in the running to have their delicacies crowned the best in Scotland.
The Fraser Brothers butchers, Macleans Highland Bakery, and the Murdoch Brothers butchers, all situated in Forres, are vying to win the World Scotch Pie Championship next week.
Two of the firms have won the prize in the past, and are hoping to make history by scooping the honour for a second time.
In 2010, the Murdoch Brothers scotch pie was crowned World Champion and the business has received certificates in every ceremony since.
Ronnie Murdoch, who runs the business with brother Graham, said securing the accolade for a second time would be especially poignant in their company’s centenary year.
“Winning the award helped to attract new customers and widen our footprint,” he said.
“Only one entrant has won the World Scotch Pie Championship twice, and that was a Greenock company in 2001 and 2002.
“It would be really fantastic for us to win it again, especially as 2016 is our 100th anniversary.”
The butcher said that a healthy spirit of competition pushes butchers and bakers in Forres to ensure their pies are of the highest standard.
He added: “We are all competing against one another, so the pies we sell all have to make the mark or business will fall behind.”
Macleans Highland Bakery, on the town’s West Road, won the top award in 2003, and has spent the years since endeavouring to reclaim the title.
The Fraser Brothers butcher was awarded a gold certificate for its steak pie last year, and is hoping to build on the momentum by taking a top prize at next week’s ceremony.
Owner Graeme Duffus said: “We had praise for our steak pie last year but now we want to build on that, and this would be an even bigger accolade.”
Judging took place last month, with 50 experts sampling more than 500 entries submitted across a range of categories.
Scottish football legend Jim Leishman, who played for and managed Dunfermline Athletic, joined the tasting session as a guest judge.
The winning pie will be announced at the event in Cumbernauld on Wednesday, January 13.