Thousands of golf fans and volunteers are beginning to arrive in Perth and Kinross ahead of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
With preparations in their final stages, it is ready to make the most of the global event, which will attract 45,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers each day.
Joining them will be more than 2,000 journalists and 7,500 volunteers, many of whom will be in the area for the first time.
Grandstands have been constructed, greens manicured, spectator areas created, park and rides planned, stations upgraded and footbridges erected over the A9, while teams from Perth and Kinross Council and BEAR Scotland have been working to ensure the community looks its best.
Now all that remains is the wait for some of the world’s finest golfers to join the party. The Ryder Cup begins on Tuesday when the first of three practice days takes place.
Europe and the US will then enter a three-day battle for supremacy as the hosts bid to retain the title won so spectacularly at Medinah in 2012.
“After well over a year of planning, it is exciting to think that the 2014 Ryder Cup is just days away,” said council leader Ian Miller.
“The event will provide an unprecedented opportunity for Perth and Kinross to shine.”
Although Gleneagles will find itself at the epicentre of the event, the wider region is nonetheless to play a major role.
Perth in particular will look to showcase itself to the influx of visitors and entertain residents as it is transformed into a family-friendly “fan zone”.
From Wednesday to Sunday next week, an array of free golf-themed events will take place, accompanied by a programme at Perth Concert Hall.
At the heart of the fan zone will be a giant screen, erected on the concert hall plaza, where all the action will be screened live from Gleneagles, beginning at noon on Wednesday.