Making a splash inhonour ofMary

The event, which takes place at Kirkgate Park, Kinross, is being organised by the Rotary Club of Kinross and District.

‘Mary’ herself, along with her retinue, will promenade around the site, talking to the public, and there’ll be jousting, games , story-telling and more.

This year for the first time there’ll also be a blacksmith’s armoury as well as a topiary tent.

The boat race takes place on Sunday, when rowers once again will replicate Mary, Queen of Scots’ daring 1568 escape from imprisonment in Loch Leven Castle, where she was held captive for almost a year, during which time she had been forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son James.

Teams of five, with one member of each dressed as the tragic queen, will take to the water in old Loch Leven clinker rowing boats and race each other around a short course off the banks of the Kirkgate Park.

There is a trophy and prize for the fastest time and a prize for the best-dressed Mary. All funds raised are donated to charity.