The summer hasn't been all bad however and the major events in the south Mearns, like the Gala Days, Games and Shows all seemed to land lucky.

It was glorious for the Auchenblae Gala Day on the last day of May, then the following weekend it was also fine for Galas at Fettercairn and Luthermuir.

Drumtochty Games enjoyed fine weather in the beautiful setting of Drumtochty Glen on June 26, then a week later, the first Saturday of July, the traditional day for the Fettercairn Agricultural Show, was also fair.

The show organisers must have been dreading a repeat of the "washout" of 2007 which led to the show being cancelled for only the second time in its long history.

More recently, Laurencekirk Gala was a resounding success and again the hard-working organisers were dealt a break with the weather conditions.
All through the summer, the Observer has been there capturing the fun on camera.

Enjoy one last look at Summer 2008.