Third Annual Monty Python Day

Knights, cardinals and bearded ladies have been swarming round the grounds of Doune Castle as fans marked the third annual Monty Python Day. Built by Robert Stewart in the 14th Century, the keep appeared as Castle Anthrax in the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Since then, thousands of devout fans have made their way to the castle, outside Stirling. Tickets for this year's event were restricted to 500.

Fans who made their way to the jamboree of Python-themed silliness, took part in a coconut conga and the Python Idle talent competition. Also in attendance was original cast member Carol Cleveland.

Coconut shells, which were used by characters in the film to mimic the sound of horses, were a feature as Python pilgrims showed up to clip-clop their way about the grounds.

Billed as the "silliest yet", dozens of actors performed scenes from the film and the TV series, including the dead parrot sketch, at key locations around the castle.

The first Monty Python Day was held at Doune Castle, six miles north-west of Stirling, in 2005 to mark the 30th anniversary of the film.

Nick Finnigan, of Historic Scotland, which hosts the event, said: "For the first one, we made it an open public event, but 1,400 turned up.