An Englishman has won the top title in the most Scottish of sports for the second year in a row.
Londoner Scott Rider was given special permission to leave the Athletes Village at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to attend the World Caber Championships and defend his title.
Inveraray Highland Games hosted the championships in stunningly beautiful sunshine today in Winterton Park in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, the home of the Duke of Argyll.
A huge crowd was treated to temperatures which reached 27C.
Heavy athlete Mr Rider said: “I wish there was a caber tossing competition at the Commonwealth Games, it would be a good event for me.
“The competition this year was tougher, it was close. I am delighted to win the title again.”
Inveraray Highland Games was hosting the World Caber Championships for the sixth year in a row.
This is a highly prestigious event in the games calendar and attracts the highest calibre of athletes from all over the world.
It is a true test of skill and physical prowess as the caber at the World Championships is one of the biggest, if not the biggest on the circuit, measuring more than 20ft long and weighing in at more than 140lbs.
The games were officially opened by the Duke of Argyll, chief of clan Campbell.
Other attractions included food and drink, athletics and Highland dancing competitions.
Inveraray and District Pipe Band, recently crowned Grade 1 European Champions, paraded through the town before performing in the games field.
There was a children’s activity tent, with Artie’s Tartan Tales being a new attraction for this year, as was the youth band from Lochgilphead, Argyll Brass Band.
Also in attendance was a contingent from the 5 Scots Balaclava Company.
John Patrick of the games committee said: “The games celebrates our rich Highland culture and the one-day event showcases all the traditional Highland Games, harking back to the warrior clan days. There is the usual mix of track and ‘heavy’ events, for the sports-minded, and both Scottish Highland dancing and solo piping for those with a more artistic bent.”