Transport giant Stagecoach has been named as the first corporate patron of Perth’s historic Black Watch Castle and Museum.
The bus firm struck a deal with the widely popular visitor attraction and will help fund a year’s worth of research and conservation.
Stagecoach, which is based in Perth, became a “gold level” sponsor through the museum’s new corporate patrons scheme.
The deal will also pave the way for a packed line-up of public sessions and events, including a summer festival in August.
Stagecoach group chief executive Martin Griffiths said: “The Black Watch Castle and Museum celebrates a rich piece of Perthshire’s heritage as The Black Watch Regiment still means so much to so many people.
“As a Perth company through and through, we are delighted to be supporting the museum, which is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, and we look forward to working with them over the next year to help even more people find out about the proud military history of the area.”
The museum, based at Balhousie Castle, pays tribute to the area’s elite military regiment whose history stretches back almost three centuries.
It holds a vast collection of significant items, including uniforms, paintings, medals, photographs, diaries, weapons and other equipment.
The centre’s chief executive Anne Kinnes said: “We are delighted that Stagecoach is our first gold corporate patron and we look forward to welcoming them to the home of The Black Watch in the coming year.”
The museum, which was recently awarded five stars by VisitScotland, is running a series of events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Crosses are being placed on a memorial wall to mark the thousands of troops killed in conflicts across the world between 1914 and 1918.
Earlier this week, schoolchildren helped mark the centenary of the battle for Neuve Chapelle in France.
A further 61 crosses were added to the wall to honour men of The Black Watch who fell during the 1915 battle.