THE Inverkeithing Highland Games takes place on Saturday and promises plenty of entertainment and excitement for visitors and participants alike.

Thousands of West Fifers, as well as tourists from as far afield as Germany, France, Spain, Canada and the USA, are expected to descend on the town for a celebration of Scottish traditional sports.

This year’s programme is set to be a special ‘Year of Homecoming’ souvenir edition, with an additional £1500 prize money added to attract top-level competitors.

The fun kicks off at 10.30am with the Highland dancing, before the pipe bands march down the High Street to Ballast Bank at 11.30am.

Games chieftain Jim Macdonald will officially open the day at 12.30pm.

Pipe bands feature prominently this year and taking part will be the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland band.

Among those also competing for honours are the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing and West Fife Schools bands, plus others from Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and St Andrews.

A strong field from across Scotland is also expected in the athletics events, which include the hotly contested 200m Tom Oliver Youth Handicap race and the Jim Murray 90m sprint.

A £180 prize is up for grabs in the Tom Oliver race, with £100 going to the first under-16 athlete past the post.

This year’s race format will offer participants the chance to take part in a sprint or longer race series, with the athlete posting the best overall results getting additional prize money.

Kids will take centre stage in the junior races and Children’s Highland Games, which includes a relay race, tossing the caber, shot putt and tug-of-war.

And of course, there’ll be the ever popular cycling and heavyweight events, plus the carnival atmosphere set to be generated by the stalls, shows, displays and food and drink outlets.

Games secretary Brian McGarry said, “We’re hoping it will be dry and hoping to get between 3500-4000 visitors.

“We always get a very good turnout from folk from Inverkeithing and from across Scotland and abroad.

“A big thank-you to all the sponsors and local businesses, large and small, who have supported us and made this possible.”