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    The Braemar Gathering at Balmoral: a Classic FM special

    On 5 September, the Queen, the Royal Family and thousands of spectators descended on the tiny town of Braemar, adjacent to Balmoral, to watch the massed pipes and drums, and Highland Games events. Classic FM was there to record the music - and you can hear it in our special broadcast from 8pm on 9 September.

    1. 2015 Braemar Gathering Queen Prince Philip Charles

      1. Much mirth in the Royal enclosure

      Since 1848, the Braemar gathering has been regularly attended by the reigning Monarch and members of the Royal Family. Here HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales are clearly amused by some Highlands high jinks. Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images

    2. Braemar Gathering Queen 2015

      2. Her Majesty the Chieftain

      Her Majesty the Queen is Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering, a traditional Scottish Highland Games which predates the 1745 Uprising. Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images

    3. Royal Braemar Gathering

      3. Pipe band at the Braemar Gathering

      A pipe band march at the Braemar Gathering on 5 September 2015 in Braemar, Scotland. There has been an annual gathering at Braemar, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, for over 900 years. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images

    4. Royal Braemar Gathering

      4. Tug of War

      The tug of war competition is always a great favourite at the Braemar Gathering. Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

    5. Royal Braemar Gathering

      5. Tossing the caber

      A participant takes part in the caber tossing competition at the Braemar Gathering on 5 September 2015. The Gathering sees competitors in Running, Heavy Weights, Solo Piping, Light Field and Solo Dance watched by around 16000 spectators. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images

    6. Royal Braemar Gathering

      6. The weight over the bar throwing competition

      In which a very strong man throws a weight over a bar. Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images

    7. Royal Braemar Gathering

      7. Traditional dancing too

      Competitors watch as others take part in a traditional dancing event during the annual Braemar Gathering. Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images

    8. Royal Braemar Gathering

      8. Preparing for the service

      The Sunday morning service at Crathie Kirk featured the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir, under their Director Paul Mealor. The service, attended by HM The Queen and other members of the Royal Family featured Mealor’s own compositions, including a world premiere of a setting of 'The Lord Bless you and Keep You' and Tallis’s 'If Ye Love Me'.

    9. Braemar gathering

      9. Songs from a Lovie

      Scottish personality Robert Lovie (right) took to the stage of St Margret's Church in Braemar with some traditional songs, including My Love is Like a Red Red Rose. He's joined by, from left, John Hudson and Raemond Jappy.

    10. Royal Braemar Gathering

      10. ...and down to the chippy

      After a gruelling day of piping, band members take a much-deserved break at the local chippy.

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