The sound of pianos, brass and woodwind will ring out across Eden Court Theatre in Inverness’s today as the city’s annual music festival starts in earnest.
The cultural event will involve musicians, singers and dancers from across the Highlands competing for prestigious silverware.
The Inverness Music Festival opened on Saturday, with piping and dancing competitions being held at Inverness High School. It runs until March 4.
One of the first winners was a young boy from Dingwall who is making a habit of achieving top marks.
Calum MacLeod, 10, got a distinction in the 11 and under chanter contest and took home the MacLennan Quaich.
The Dingwall Primary pupil won the 10 and under contest last year and was urged to test himself against stiffer competition by his instructor James MacKenzie, the pipe major of Strathpeffer Pipe Band.
The youngster’s proud father Martin said Calum “had taken to the chanter naturally”.
He said: “He has been learning for the past two years and is now moving on to the bagpipes. He just loves it and is practising with Strathpeffer Pipe Band.
“We’re not a particularly musical family so I don’t know where he gets it from.”
Competition starts at Eden Court from 9.30am today, with pianoforte and brass.
Later in the week there will be speaking contests, in English and Gaelic.
And next week the choirs will take to the stage.
As well as the prestigious Curtis Craig competition, there is a new trophy on offer.
The Elizabeth Davis Competition is open to winners of classes in traditional Scottish genres.
The trophy is named after Inverness woman Elizabeth Davis, who died last year aged 90.
She helped resurrect the festival in the 1980s and was the organising secretary from 1988-98.