Pagentry and pipers came to Inverness yesterday for one of the city’s oldest traditions.
And for the first time, a female provost led the 200-strong parade which makes up the Kirking of the Council.
Councillor Helen Carmichael donned her robes and finery to make history during the ceremony.
The Kirking of the Council is held, on the second Sunday of September each year and is rooted in a tradition dating back 400 years. It involves a message for the council being delivered via a church service.
Mrs Carmichael was joined by her Inverness colleagues, including council leader Margaret Davidson, also attended to support her – all wearing red gowns as they strode down Church Street in the sunshine to the Old High St Stephen’s Church.
Senior council officials also took part, as well as representatives from the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Hundreds of members of the public and visitors lined the streets to witness the colourful spectacle.
The church, which is the oldest in the city, was full for the formal service.
It was led by Rev Peter Nimmo, who highlighted the role of volunteers and the importance of neighbourliness during his sermon.
Afterwards, the huge procession went back down Church Street to the town house.
Mrs Carmichael took on the provost role in June, when the previous Highland Council administration collapsed.
Until then the civic and political duties of the role were split between city leader Ian Brown and provost Alex Graham.
However the new independent administration has merged the duties into one role again.
She said it was a “great honour” to take part in the kirking service, adding it was fitting for the local authority to reflect on its public service role.