Visitors flocked to the first day of Scotland's largest farming show to celebrate the best of rural life.

The sunny weather helped the annual agricultural event get off to a strong start on Thursday.

Around 200,000 visitors are expected to head to Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, over the next three days to enjoy a variety of attractions and activities.

Food enthusiasts will be able to enjoy live cooking demonstrations and the Scottish cheese and ice cream championships, while there is a large indoor shopping area and lifestyle stalls.

More than 5000 cattle, sheep, goats, horses and poultry will compete in various livestock categories over the weekend, while the usual showcase of machinery will be on display.

Around 30,000 children are expected to attend the 176th year of the show, with free activities on offer at the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) education centre.

Farmer Allan Murray, of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, said he was delighted with the turnout on the first day.

He estimated around a fifth of Thursday's visitors were from overseas.

"The Highland Show to Scotland is a huge shop window for us farmers, producers, growers, retailers, machinery dealers and many others to promote their goods to the public and also the farming community," he said.

"I think the biggest lesson (for people who are not from farming backgrounds) is actually where the food is produced and what the countryside is about.

"They go away, each person with a different image, but it's an image we want to see them take away with them so they know they've been at the Highland Show."

Even those who cannot make it to the show can watch the action as its highlights are being streamed online.