The Royal National Mòd is starting in Glasgow later, with organisers predicting the competition's 194th anniversary will prove to be a record-breaking year.
The annual celebration of Scots Gaelic culture, language and history, brings together thousands of acts and spectators from across the country.
More than 2,000 entries have been registered by people aiming to take part in some of the festival's 200 competitions, the highest total on record.
Alongside the official contests in areas such as bagpiping, Highland dancing and Gaelic literature, more than 80 fringe events are also running, offering educational sessions, ceilidhs and musical performances.