School children from across the north-east have taken part in a special art competition to highlight the importance of one of the most famous waterways in the region.
Pupils from schools including Aboyne and Dyce academies, as well as Banchory, Crathes and Hill of Banchory primaries were invited by the River Dee Trust to take part in the contest ahead of a special “mini-festival” on Saturday, which coincides with the official opening of the River Dee salmon fishing season.
The children were asked to create artwork inspired by the theme of conservation on the River Dee, and in recent weeks members of the trust have been touring the schools to judge their artwork.
Cash prizes will be announced on Saturday during the festival, which has been designed to celebrate the river, its wildlife, its famous angling opportunities and the communities who live all along Deeside.
As well as the announcement of the competition winners, the event will also feature interactive stalls explaining how the trust carries out its conservation work on the river, a casting competition and short film screenings.
Sandy Bremner, the chairman of the River Dee Trust, said: “The judges were hugely impressed by the quality of the artwork, and genuinely astounded by the pupils’ knowledge of their environment, along with their passion to protect it.”
The festival is free to attend and will be held in the grounds of Banchory Lodge from 2pm to 4pm.