Food fans will make their way to Scone Palace this month for one of the most hotly anticipated events of the year.
The weather may soon be turning a little chilly but thousands of visitors will arrive in Perthshire to find September can pack more than a little heat.
Still basking in the warm glow of the inaugural event, the organisers of the Scottish Braves Chilli Fiesta are confident the second festival will be a sure-fire hit.
It is designed as a celebration of all things chilli and will take place in a tented village in the palace’s stunning grounds over the weekend of September 20-21.
Chilli will sell products including fresh curries, chilli chutneys, chilli chocolate and chilli ciders, chilli cocktails and cola.
An explosive “Clash of the Titans” chilli-eating contest will take place each day.
Competitors will line up to eat 15 of the world’s hottest chillies including Bullet, Rocket, Scotch Bonnet and Naga.
Otherwise known as the Ghost Chilli, the Naga was once the hottest chilli on record before being superseded by the terrifyingly named Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reaper.
There will also be a series of cooking masterclasses, while a variety of tasty produce will be available to taste-test and purchase.
Throughout the day there will be live salsa music, dancing and hints and tips on growing chillis from Scone’s head gardener Brian Cunningham.
Children can enjoy their own chilli-related mayhem in a dedicated activity zone, where they can hunt for chillis hidden in the Murray star maze and take part in chilli face-painting.
Events manager Heather McArthur said: “We’re delighted that one of our most popular and colourful events is returning to Scone.
“The festival is a real celebration of this universal food and offers a fantastic opportunity for people to savour the flavour of one of the hottest ingredients around, buy plants and seeds to grow on at home, pick up ingredients and recipe ideas to help them cook up a storm at home and enjoy a wonderful fiesta atmosphere.”
The event runs from 10am until 5pm each day and admission is £6.30 for adults, £5.70 for students and concessions and £4.40 (under fours are free).
Family tickets are £20.
For more information, visit www.chillifest.net or www.scone-palace.co.uk