Organisers of the Highland Military Tattoo have received a major grant to help reach an international audience.
The £20,000 injection from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will be used to fund promotion and marketing of the annual event.
The funding means the organisers are now giving their marketing partners a wider remit in a bid to attract a global audience to Fort George.
James Gibbs, Inner Moray Firth area director for HIE, said: “The tattoo is an important and appreciated annual cultural event for the Highlands set in one of Scotland’s most spectacular and iconic sites, Fort George.
“It attracts visitors from around the UK and overseas, which of course contributes to the wider local economy.
“This year the tattoo also helps to mark 2017 as the year of history, heritage and archaeology, and HIE has assisted the event to achieve a sustainable operation in its historic setting.”
The event’s organisers said various plans are being put in place to raise the worldwide profile of the event.
The tattoo has been held at Fort George since it was revived and will be held this years between September 8 and 10.
Fears had been raised for the future of the showpiece event last year because of small crowds at Fort George – leading to a £40,000 loss over the last three editions.
But the organisers announced before Christmas they would press on with plans for the 2017 event after months of uncertainty about the tattoo’s future.
This year’s Tattoo will be based around an RAF theme and will also feature reenactments celebrating he history of Fort George itself and the soldiers who have served there.
Massed pipe bands, a military band, armed forces displays, a new overseas act, traditional Highland dancers, singing and competitions also feature, with an additional aerial display from a World War I aircraft, an RAF Typhoon fly-past and spectacular fireworks to complete the family event.