Queen ready to host Braemar Gathering

The Queen is expected to make her annual appearance at a Highland Games today.

The Braemar Gathering is held a short distance from the royals' summer retreat on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.

As patron of the event, the Queen traditionally joins thousands of spectators to cheer on competitors in the tossing of the caber and tug-of-war contests.

Pipe bands and dancers will also perform to the crowd at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.

The gathering takes place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world.

Queen Victoria first attended in 1848 and since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch and other members of the royal family.

Last year the Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.

Braemar Royal Highland Charity, which organises the event, said: "Every gathering is a memorable occasion and that of 2015 will be no exception."