Tartan titans gathered at a sun soaked Battery Park for the 63rd annual Gourock Highland Games

Blue skies and stunning river views provided the perfect backdrop for annual event which attracted a 10,000 strong crowd.

Provost Martin Brennan told the Tele he was so proud to be the chieftain at the prestigious event.

He said: "I would like to thank the many thousands of people who attended the Gourock Highland Games.

"It is an honour to have been chosen to be the chieftain of the games.

"The day couldn’t have been better with lots of happy smiling faces, plenty of competition and some fabulous weather.

“The Games get better each year and are proving to be an international draw with visitors travelling from across Europe and further afield to attend the games as part of their visit to Scotland.

"Some people attending had even arranged their holidays specifically to coincide with the Gourock Highland Games."

Visitors travelled from across the world to enjoy pipe band competitions, traditional Highland games, Highland dance competitions, and a range of sporting activities across the day.

Provost Brennan added: "The Gourock Highland Games is an event which is growing in stature and confidence.

"It has carved out a unique position in Scotland’s piping and games event calendar.

"The weather was glorious and the sights and sounds were spectacular as thousands of visitors joined in the celebrations to mark the start of the Scottish Highland games and piping season for 2019."

One of the highlights of the day was when Lucas Venta, the Polish-born athlete, scooped the top prize in the Gourock Highland Games events for the fourth year in a row.

Lucas has now won the top prize in all events since the competition moved to its new permanent home at Battery Park.

In the mini Highland Games contest the pupils from Gourock Primary triumphed closely followed by King’s Oak Primary in second place and St Ninian’s Primary clinching third place.

Competition was also fierce in the piping competition which saw the Scottish Power Pipe Band pick up first place in the grade one competition.

And one of Inverclyde’s own pipe bands, St Columba’s School from Kilmacolm, scooped the top prize in Grade 4b category.

There was also a special moment when Gordon and Heather McDermid from The Lower Clyde Pipes and Drums were presented with flowers from the Provost Brennan to mark their 30th wedding anniversary.

Planning has already began for next year's event on Sunday May 10.