Multitude of chieftains at Helmsdale's 40th anniversary Highland games
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Traditionally organisers of Helmsdale and District Highland Games have selected a chieftain with local connections to preside over the event.
But to mark the 40th anniversary of the popular games this year, it has been decided to “do things a little bit differently”.
Instead of just the one chieftain, there are going to be 19 and they were all in primary one at Helmsdale Primary School in 1985.
A games spokeswoman said: “This is our 40th games and it was planned to take place in 2020.
“Little did we know when the games were cancelled that year that it would be another two years before we were back.
“In this very special anniversary year, the committee has decided to do things a little differently. Rather than have a singular chieftain as convention would have it, this year we have 19!
"Nineteen of the primary one ‘class of 85’, who would have been 40 in our 40th year, have kindly agree to take on the role.”
The group of chieftains, whose names are listed on the games' social media page, will parade from the Bridge Hotel car park to the games field at Couper Park on games day, August 20.
Organisers have also revealed the names of three joint standard bearers for 2022 and say that each of them is a “shining example of our youth, representing their village in sporting excellence". They are Aaron Grant, Sinead Denoon and Finbar Plass, all aged 19.
The games flowergirl, who will make the presentation to this year’s chieftains, is nine-year-old Amelia Waddell who lives in Thurso but spends a lot of weekends and holidays in Helmsdale with her dad Alan Marshall.
Earlier this month an appeal was made for volunteers to help run the games “safely and successfully”.
Organisers said help was needed to serve as stewards and run the raffle and merchandising, adult hill race and afternoon children’s races.
Anyone with even an hour of time to spare on the day itself is asked to contact any member of the games committee or message the games’ Facebook page.
An auction sale held in Helmsdale Community Centre on Saturday, June 11, in aid of the games has raised £2500.
