Many of the 15 stalls brought together for the Cairngorms Farmers Market displayed produce from nearby farms and crafts, while small producers from the West Coast, the Black Isle and Perthshire completed the array of suppliers taking part.

Organiser Fiona Young was delighted by the sunny weather, which helped to attract more people to the market opposite the Myrtlefield Centre on Grampian Road than any other held in recent times.

She hopes the event will be held on the second Sunday of each month, with Aviemore and Grantown taking turns to host the popular market.

"We have also been asked to bring the market to villages around the National Park when they are having shows and events," she said. "That's because people realise it is another attraction to bring people in and give them something else to see.

"It all adds atmosphere to the day, and it is something we do from time to time."

Visitors browse in the sunshine at the Cairngorm Farmers Market on Sunday.

Unlike many farmers' markets around the country, those who exhibit at the Cairngorms market are vetted carefully to ensure that only high-quality produce is sold, by people who actually make or grow what they are selling.

"We want this to be a way to sell high-quality goods, not a bric-a-brac market," Mrs Young said. "We need to get the message out that this isn't in competition with existing businesses, but something that draws people in.

"Most of the people we have seen have been visitors, and this can help draw them into an area."

The next appearance of the market's distinctive blue and grey tents will be in Grantown's Square as part of the Strathspey in May festival on Sunday.

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