Work has begun on a new £2.5m heritage centre in Aberdeenshire.

The Braemar Royal Highland Society aims to create a sustainable, year-round facility conserving and enhancing cultural heritage of the Highland Games.

The new facility at the Braemar Gathering site will be designed to tell the story of the area's royal links and explain the history of the games.

The centre will have a multi-function gallery, exhibition hall and a visitor cafe.

Archives, artefacts, trophies and memorabilia dating back to the first games in 1832 will be on display.

President of Braemar Royal Highland Society David Geddes said: "Following years of planning Braemar Royal Highland Charity's vision is becoming a reality.

"The new centre will allow us to tell the world the story of the Braemar Highland Gathering and the wider Highland Games circuit.

"I feel this will be a major boost to tourism in Deeside and the National Park and will help the future of the sport and Highland traditions."