Thousands flock to the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness to watch The Gathering music festival featuring Capercaillie and Elephant Sessions

The weather was kind for The Gathering music festival in Inverness today as it returned to its traditional date of the last weekend in May.

Highlights in the main stage line up included Capercaillie and Inverness' very own Elephant Sessions.

Organiser Dougie Brown said ticket sales were down on last year, when it was moved to September because of Covid-19 restrictions – the number of tickets sold this year were around 4000 compared with 6000 last year.

He said he was pleased with the ticket sales this year and added: "We are back in our normal time of year. It's come around sooner and like everyone that works in the events industry we are delighted to be back."

Dave Barry was a regular visitor to the event and had travelled to Inverness all the way from Scarborough in North Yorkshire. He said: "It's the most intense Scottish experience hat we've had. When I first came here four years ago it just blew my mind."

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