Final preparations are under way for the north-east’s biggest summer gala.
The 53rd annual Scottish Week at Peterhead kicks off on Saturday with a traditional celebration in the town centre.
This year’s Buchan Queen, Natasja Kaminski, will be crowned by Aberdeenshire Council provost Jill Webster during an afternoon of live music and dancing in Drummer’s Corner.
Among the highlights in this year’s packed programme include a display by the Blades aerobatic team and a show by the 3Sixty bicycle stunt crew.
Yesterday, organisers opened their box office at an empty shoe shop in Marischal Street, where visitors can buy programmes, book tickets and get information on event times. A spokeswoman said volunteers were particularly busy with inquiries about the Peterhead’s Got Talent show and a Just Dance Concert.
Traditional favourites like the bay swim and raft race will return to the Lido on Thursday, July 24. A huge fireworks display will be held later that night.
The Blades will make a welcome return to the port on Friday, July 25, at 7.30pm.
Hundreds descended on the seafront to watch last year’s display by the four Extra EA-300 aircraft.
The planes are capable of most audacious manoeuvres and were built with aerobatic flying in mind. All four pilots are former members of the famous Red Arrows.
Scottish Week festivals were rife across the country during the 1960s, but they fizzled out over the decades. Peterhead’s gala is now the only one of its kind.
Six years ago, the future of the festival was thrown into doubt after organisers said a mixture of public apathy and red tape had made it too difficult to organise.
But the gala was saved following a busy public meeting where more than 100 residents pledged to do what they could to make the following year a success.
The 50th show in 2012 attracted record-breaking crowds.
For inquires about this year’s line-up, call the hotline number on 07733 320954.