Even the most stony faced residents of Inverness are enjoying the cup final buzz which is sweeping the Highland capital.
Some of the city’s best known statues have donned Inverness Caledonian Thistle colours to show their support for the team ahead of their first ever appearance in Scottish football’s showcase final.
A scarf has appeared on the famous statue of Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald on the grounds of Inverness Castle in the past few days.
And the historic Three Graces statues at Ness Bank Gardens near the river have also shown their colours by donning club scarves in the last few days.
Fans are hoping that at least two of the statues – Faith and Hope – will see them to victory at in the eagerly anticipated final at Hampden Park next weekend.
The scarves were put in place as players and club officials toured the city with the coveted trophy over the past few days.
Highland Council, who are responsible for the maintenance of statues and monuments, confirmed last night that the lucky charms would be kept in place up until after the cup final match.
The city is counting down to the Caley Jags eagerly-anticipated first appearance in the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk on Saturday, May 30.
Caley Jags fan and city centre councillor Richard Laird said he was delighted to the club’s colours on show throughout the city.
He said: “It’s been brilliant to see businesses, the council and indeed the whole civic community get behind the boys for the biggest day in the club’s history and the biggest sporting day in the history of Inverness.”
The cup final buzz has started to take hold with the visit of the trophy to some of the city’s school over the past few days.
City centre shops have begun to don Caley Jags blue, red and white colours, while a mass exodus is expected carrying fans to the final next weekend.
The Three Traces statues were restored to the city a few years ago near Ness Bank Church.
The 20ft structure features the angelic statues, which were rescued from the garden of an Orkney antique collector.