Torrential rain in the middle of summer has cancelled a popular Aberdeenshire Highland games.
The Stonehaven Highland Games committee has made the decision to cancel the Sunday event after 4ins of rain flooded the Mackie playing fields venue.
Organisers last night measured and lined the pitch, but woke up to find it totally waterlogged.
As well as the usual heavy and athletics events, the games was in line to host the Scottish Amateur Tug o’ War Championships.
However the Highland dancing event – due to attract around 100 competitors – will go ahead in the Mackie Academy games hall.
Chairman of the games committee, Roger Barnett, said: “It has really been a very, very difficult decision because of all the things that are going on in the games this year as well.
“I am pretty gutted, but we had to make the decision because we had to think of our partners and the playing fields itself.
“There is 4ins of water on the field. It would absolutely ruin the field and we can’t afford to do that.”
Around 3,000 people showed up the games last year following a two year break in the event.
A Met Office yellow warning for rain is in effect across Grampian, whilst Sepa has issued a flood warning for Aberdeen city and shire.