Traditional boat festival begins

Eight-year-old Katie Gordon helped to launch the event with giant knitting needles and a huge ball of wool

A major annual maritime event is under way in Banffshire, and it will last longer than usual.

The Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival will last for four days from Thursday, twice its usual length.

In previous years, the event has attracted about 10,000 visitors every day.

About 100 boats are expected at the festival, which also features music and entertainment, speakers, and seminars on topics such as maritime knitting.

Eight-year-old Katie Gordon helped to launch the event with giant knitting needles and a massive ball of wool.

Festival Chairman Roger Goodyear explained: "It's sails, stitches and songs all the way this year.

"Knitting and nautical traditions are intertwined. Each fishing community had its own distinctive pattern to help identify any sailors who were drowned and washed ashore."