THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to attend the 147th Stirling Highland Games on Saturday, August 19 this year.

The city's annual games, which take place at Stirling Sports Village, behind Forthbank Stadium, are always popular and offers visitors a great mix of traditional events and new attractions for all the family to enjoy.

This year, games organiser Matt McGrandles is delighted to announce the 2017 games chieftain is Scotland cricketer, Kari Carswell.

Matt said: "My committee and I really enjoy this part of the build-up to the highland games. Selecting one of Stirling's famous sons or daughters to be chieftain is fascinating.

"There are so many worthwhile individuals to choose from however I am happy that Kari will be joining our chieftain family."

Kari added: "It came as a bit of a shock to be nominated for the role of chieftain at the Stirling Highland Games, but I'm absolutely thrilled to accept the role and I can't wait to be back in Stirling on August 19.

"Stirling is a place I've obviously got a close association to, having been born there and in my early years not living too far from it. I'm hoping the sun shines and lots of people turn out to support what will no doubt be a fantastic event."

Kari started playing cricket at the age of 12 at Stirling County Cricket Club under the expert eye of Raymond Bond and quickly fell in love with the game.

She trialled for England U17's in 1999 and represented them in a tri-series against Holland before committing to play for Scotland.

Then she made her debut for Scotland as a 17-year-old against Northumberland in 2000 and to date has represented Scotland on 148 occasions and captained for 54 of those matches.

She also had the privilege of being a player/coach for the senior women's team from November 2010 - December 2015, taking the squad to within one game of qualifying for our first ever World Cup.

Kari is still playing, albeit she has taken on a new challenge as a cricket officer in New Zealand, but she is hoping to be selected to go to Sri Lanka in February 2017 to play in the 50 over Global Qualifying event.

If the team qualifies they will be playing in the 50 over world cup in England in July 2017.

Discounted tickets can be purchased online via the Stirling Highland Games website or at the gate on the day, when payment must be made by cash.

Entry costs £8 for adults, £4 for children aged 5-15 years old and £5 for Students/OAPs.

Children under five years old enter for free with car parking limited next to the site but Stirling park and rides are close by.

To view a full timetable of What's On or to purchase tickets online, please visit www.stirlinghighlandgames.com