The countdown is on until Moray’s biggest traditional music festival.
Speyfest 20 will be held in Fochabers in less than two weeks, with music fans looking forward to a packed programme of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
Concerts, ceilidhs, stomps and workshops have been lined up to mark the 20th year of the event, which is held at the playing fields on East Street.
A range of international noteworthy acts will feature on the all-new Whisky and Windswept stages.
The festival will launch with a three-hour concert on July 31, where the Fochabers Fiddlers will play to a home crowd, along with the Calum Stewart Trio and Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain.
Saturday night’s Stramash will be capped by performances from Sandi Thom and Seth Lakeman, while Sunday ‘Fun Day’ will involve 18 acts playing across both stages in a 10-hour long musical marathon.
Flautist Calum Stewart, a son of Garmouth, and returns to his Moray roots from his Breton base with French duo Heikki Bourgault and Yann Le Bozec will complete the ensemble on guitar and double bass.
Mr Stewart, 32, said: “The early days of the festival were quite different to how it is now — it’s quite a spectacle.
“The stages are quite big, and the festival attracts a lot of people.
“There’s always a great buzz around the area. There’s definitely always something special about playing at home, having grown up in the area. It’s a perfect chance for old friends to come home and catch up.
“I’m bringing my trio from Brittany. We are going to be there the whole weekend.
“It’s going be great to be here for the opening of the festival on its 20th birthday.”
Tickets range from £10.50 to £31.50, and weekend camping tickets are also available. To find out more about the programme, or tickets, visit www.speyfest.com or pop into the Institute in Fochabers. For more information call 07875 212382.