More than 400 years after her death as a captive of the English, the life of Mary, Queen of Scots is to be celebrated near the place where she was first held prisoner.
Kinross will host a festival aimed at bringing thousands of visitors to the area, which lost the T in the Park music festival to Strathallan Castle earlier this year.
Mary was imprisoned for almost a year in nearby Loch Leven Castle, escaping in May 1568.
Re-enactors will portray the queen and her court, including the four Marys girls who accompanied her to France as a child.
The festival will have its own royal encampment filled with the sounds and scents and hustle and bustle of the time.
Visitors will be transported back to the vibrant court of Mary, Queen of Scots from the moment they arrive.
Banners will herald entrance to the encampment, fluttering in the breeze, leaving no doubt as to the place in history held by those beyond.
Tents and awnings harbouring all of the colourful characters that would have formed the backbone of the royal court will be open to visitors, allowing them to get a taste of 16th Century royal life.
The people of Mary’s court will be going about their business, dressed in the clothing of the time, showing off their skills and immersing the visitors in their work and day-to-day lives.
A spokesman for the festival said: “The nobility of the time were great lovers of entertainment and would never be far from their favourite leisurely pastimes.
“The stamp and snort of horses will draw interest to the equine pursuits of the nobility. Jousting and tilting, hunting and hawking all took place from horseback.
“Our Master of Horse will bring these medieval skills to life for the onlookers, ably aided by his beautiful horses.
“In tandem, the royal falconer will be showing off the skills of his birds, explaining all about the noble sport of falconry whilst demonstrating the prowess of these fierce hunters.
“The sight of a falcon on the wing, snatching its prey from the air never fails to take your breath away.”
Mary was held at Loch Leven Castle following a failed “battle” against nobles who opposed her second marriage.
There she was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son, James.
After her escape she fled to England, where she was beheaded in 1587.
The Mary Queen of Scots Festival will take place from September 11-13.