The organisers of the UK’s biggest sled dog racing weekend have hailed a “tremendous weekend” in Aviemore.
But while about 180 dog teams charged around the course, the organisers of the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally had to keep a close eye on their thermometers as temperatures threatened to get too warm for the huskies.
The dogs are more used to Arctic conditions and overheat of they are made to race when it is too warm.
Fortunately the unseasonably warm weather stayed just cool enough for the hundreds of spectators lining the tracks to enjoy a thrilling weekend of racing.
The event also yielded two local winners, with Ashleigh Dean from Moray winning in the four dog category and Karl Binns from Inverness-shire winning the two dog race.
Rally co-ordinator Judy Wakker hailed a successful weekend of racing, despite the lack of snow, meaning the mushers and their dogs raced wheeled rigs on the course.
The race has been organised annually by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain since 1984 and has grown into the biggest event of its type in the UK.
Teams follow a course around Loch Morlich in Glenmore in the shadows of the Cairngorms.
Mushers taking part range in age from just eight to 60 and over – with teams coming from all over the UK to take part.
One entrant even brought their dogs all the way from France to race.
Ms Wakker said: “It’s been a tremendous weekend, the racing has been good, the teams have enjoyed it and there’s been lots of spectators which is always good to see.”
She added: “If anything it has been a little bit warm and we’ve had to keep a close eye on the temperatures.
“It’s rather ironic because last year we had to cancel the last day because of ice but that’s the British weather I suppose.”
The race features a number of breeds including the Alaskan Malamute, Samoyeds, Greenland Dogs and Canadian Eskimo Dogs – the pedigree first breed to pull sleds in Arctic conditions hundreds of years ago.
Ms Wakker added: “We’re delighted with how it has gone and of course we’ll be back this year.
“I’d like to take the time to thank the Forestry Commission Scotland for their help and our sponsors Canin, they’ve both been brilliant.”