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In Pictures: Opening of the Island Games in Orkney

News imageBBC Fans from various islands coming together to watch the opening ceremonyBBC
Smiling faces waiting to support their island teams as the sun shines over Kirkwall

The Island Games have kicked off in Orkney, with more than 2,500 people gathered in Kirkwall's Bignold Park for the opening ceremony.

The Scottish heatwave brought 19C temperatures on Saturday evening, a rare high for Orkney as other parts of the country baked at more than 30C.

The Princess Royal opened the games, while Scots TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and BBC Radio Orkney's Stewart Bain hosted the festivities.

Smiling competitiors joined together and marched down the streets waving flags with their home island colours.

News imageThe princess Royal, Princess Anne, greeting the Oland team
The Princess Royal greeted athletes before she officially opened the 20th Island Games
News imageGroup of competitors walking down the street with different colourful flags in hand
The 24 island teams paraded down to the centre of Kirkwall
News imageMuckle Media A man playing the drum wearing a kilt from the Stromness RBL Pipe bandMuckle Media
The Stromness RBL Pipe band and the Kirkwall City Pipe Band led the parade with cheers of support from the crowds
News imageMuckle Media The Orkney Sea Cadets walking with a flagMuckle Media
Orkney Sea Cadets followed the Princess Royal at the opening ceremony.
News imageMuckle Media Lorraine Kelly hosting alongside BBC Radio Orkney Presenter Stuart BainMuckle Media
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly hosted alongside BBC Radio Orkney presenter Stewart Bain
News imageThe Faroe Islands flag blowing in the wind, surrounded by athletes
Flags are held high as teams flew the colours of their home island
News imageA queue of people sat outside a park with palm trees in the background.
People gathered outside the Bignold Park in Kirkwall hours before the event to secure a prime spot
News imageA fountain with all 24 competing islands engraved, where representatives from each island pour water from their respective islands into a fountain
A traditional ceremony in the Island Games involves team representatives pouring water from their home island into a fountain
News imageHitra athletes gathering in a group
Hitra athletes wearing matching bucket hats representing their island
News imageMuckle Media A boy standing holding two Orkney flags wearing a red bucket hatMuckle Media
There's a buzz among younger spectators who can't wait to support their team
News imageA 2025 handmade sign to show support for the 2025 island games, with orkney flags in the background
Orkney has showed its support and many people decorating their houses for the occasion
News imageA sign with several signs pointing in different directions with islands painted on the front.
Locals have been getting crafty and embracing the Island Games spirit
News imageTwo young children wearing t-shirts with an orca on them, the mascot for the island games
Young fans were eager to meet island games mascot, Ola the Orca
News imageTwo people with Orkney flags draped over them
Supporters keep cool in the sun, cloaked in the Orkney flag