Elgin will play host to a series of swashbuckling scenes later this month when a huge fencing competition takes place in the town.
More than 130 top-ranking fencers will descend on the region for Elgin Duellist Fencing Club’s Highland Open Tournament.
Now in its third year at Elgin Academy, the competition is the northernmost of its kind in the UK, and the event has already attracted entrants from across Europe.
Competitors from Spain and Switzerland will clash swords with some of the region’s best during the contest.
And this year an effort is being made to get primary school aged youngsters into the sport, with free plastic fencing sessions on offer over the course of the event.
Organiser and coach of the local outfit, Robin Paterson, said: “One of the things were trying to encourage this year is getting younger kids to have a go.
“We’ll be running plastic fencing exhibitions to introduce young children to the ancient art in a completely safe way.
“Fencing is actually very intuitive to children, and they have great fun while practicing it.”
Competitors from more than 20 different fencing clubs will participate in men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre categories.
Swiss fencer Alexandre Arbelet will return to Moray with the aim of regaining his men’s foil title – which he won in 2013.
Scottish Commonwealth Games team member Tom Hoffmann, who fences for Culloden and Dingwall Fencing Clubs, is looking to win the men’s epee title from reigning champion Jonathan Woollard, from Wallace Fencing Club.
Mr Paterson added: “We already have more fencers competing this year than last year, and that is a great sign for the competition.
“We expect there to be more than 130 entries, and as well as fencers from Europe, we have members of the Scottish and British teams taking part.”
The competition will begin next Saturday with events running over the weekend.
Saturday sessions will take place at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and on Sunday they will take place at noon, 1pm and 2pm.
Fencers do not need to book a place in advance, but for more information or questions can be put to Mr Paterson on 01343 541302, after 7pm.