Athletes from all over the world will take part in heavyweight events

More than 100 heavyweight athletes from all over the world are to compete in the Masters World Championships (MWC) on 22-23 July.

It is the first time the event for athletes over the age of 40 will be held outside the US.

Competitors from 11 countries are expected to take part in the games, which will also host an inter-clan gathering and dancing and piping.

Angus Dick, chairman of Inverness Highland Games Committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be the first location outwith the US to host the prestigious MWC.

"It is believed that this is the biggest field of heavies ever assembled to compete in Scotland and with the Games lasting for two days instead of one this year, Inverness has a real chance of staging Scotland's biggest ever Highland Games this summer."

Huge honour

Games organiser, Gerry Reynolds added that they hoped to draw in crowds of 10,000 each day to the Bught Park Arena.

He said: "We are the first Highland games in Scotland that has been given the honour of hosting such a major competition.

"It will be quite unlike anything Scotland has ever seen before."