Thousands of people are expected to flock to Fort William on Saturday for the arrival of Santa and his reindeer as part of the Lochaber town’s Christmas Festival.
More than 3,000 people attended the event last year and the organisers are hoping for a similar turn out this year.
Father Christmas and The Cairngorm Reindeer team will leave Cameron Square at 11am led by the Lochaber Pipe Band on their way to the annual Rotary Club Christmas Festival and Craft and Food Producers’ Fair at the Nevis Centre.
The event starts at 9.30am with a wide range of designer crafts and over 70 stalls, as well as Santa’s Grotto, the Lochaber Community Wind Band, Buskers’ Corner and a grand raffle.
Entry is free, with all the Rotary Club’s proceeds going to local charities.
There will also be outdoor entertainment in Cameron Square on Saturday, including the Ben Nevis Allstars cheerleaders and the Tulloch Bellringers from Glen Spean.
Rotary Club president, John Harvey, said: “This is a great day out. There is something for all the family and you know that by getting involved you are supporting Lochaber’s craft workers and worthwhile local charities”.
Meanwhile, festivities in the Lochaber town will kick off on Friday evening with the switching on of the Christmas lights as part of the Fort William Christmas Gathering in the High Street.
Santa will arrive in a vintage Rolls Royce to switch on the lights at 6pm.
The event will then run until 8pm with food vendors and street entertainment, including live music and a pantomime by Bright Productions, in Cameron Square.
Many of the town’s shops will stay open late and children will be able to visit Santa’s grotto in the Sweetness confectionery shop, run by Cancer Research.
There will also be a Christmas games, gifts and cards fair in the Alexandra Hotel to raise money for various charities.