Charles has held the title of Chieftain at the Mey Highland Games since 2002, when he took it over from his grandmother, the late Queen Mother. On Saturday, he attended the annual Caithness event in his traditional kilt, sipping a dram of whisky as he met spectators and competitors.
The King watched as athletes took part in the traditional tug o' war, with a group of firefighters among the competitors. He shook hands with the group after they won the competition.
Veterans, cabers and pipe bands
Other groups to meet the King included the Wounded Highlanders, a team of injured military veterans who regularly take part in the adaptive competitions at the Mey Highland Games. Charles also saw the tossing of the caber - which involves entrants carrying a long and heavy tree trunk and throwing it in an attempt to turn it end over end. Troupes of Highland dancers and pipe bands also took part.
A tradition since 1970
The Mey Highland Games takes place each year at the John O'Groats showground, traditionally on the first Saturday of August. The first Mey Games was held in the nearby village of Mey in 1970 to celebrate the late Queen Mother's 70th birthday. As guest of honour on the day, she declared the event a success and encouraged its organisers to make it an annual event.
The event has grown considerably since it was founded in 1970 and around 2,000 people can turn out for it.
A royal family day out
The King's visit to the Mey Highland Games took place as his son William, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, attended the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow along with his wife and children. Kate, the Duchess of Rothesay - along with Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George - joined spectators watching netball at the Hydro arena.
