A cricket club that practises within sight of the King's Scottish residence is urgently seeking new players to ensure its survival.
Crathie Cricket Club, situated just west of Balmoral Castle in the Highlands, requires at least five additional members to continue competing in matches.
The 76-year-old club, which originally consisted entirely of castle staff when it was established, now has just one estate worker among its ranks.
The team's struggle to field a full side has prompted an appeal for new recruits, with the club specifically welcoming female players to join their North East Scotland Cricket Grade Three campaign.
A cricket club that practises within sight of the King's Scottish residence is urgently seeking new players to ensure its survival.
PA
Club captain Lyndain O'Brien, a 32-year-old maintenance worker, is the sole remaining employee from the estate playing for the team.
"About half the team come from around the area. I'm the only working member from the estate," Mr O'Brien said.
The club faces significant challenges with an ageing roster, having fielded a team with an average age of 63 in a recent season.
"The team is quite old - two of the players are in their 70s and several are in their 60s," Mr O'Brien explained.
Club captain Lyndain O'Brien, a 32-year-old maintenance worker, is the sole remaining employee from the estate playing for the team.
PA
He warned that without new recruits, the club may struggle to fulfil all its fixtures, though he insisted: "We won't close, but we are struggling to find enough players with the age profile of the team."
The club's royal connections run deep, with Prince Philip serving as patron from 1952 until his death.
The late Duke of Edinburgh once caused a match to be temporarily halted when he landed on the pitch in a helicopter.
The club's royal connections run deep, with Prince Philip serving as patron from 1952 until his death.
PA
"With his passing, we have put the feelers out for a new royal patron. I think they are keen to keep up that connection too," Mr O'Brien said.
The team regularly pauses practice when members of the Royal family drive past, with Mr O'Brien noting: "They have also come and watched a few overs."
Several prime ministers, including cricket enthusiast Sir John Major, have stopped to watch matches during their Balmoral visits.
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Mr O'Brien emphasised the club's recruitment needs: "We could do with another five players, preferably all-rounders, and we would welcome women. We play against women in the league."
The club's unique setting continues to impress visitors, with Mr O'Brien recalling: "We played a team of Afghan refugees last year and they were gobsmacked by the setting and then the King driving past and waving."
He added: "We are the only cricket club other than Windsor that can boast such a royal castle backdrop."
The club also features what is thought to be Britain's only heather-thatched pavilion, adding to its distinctive Highland character.
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