In pictures: Jousting tournament at Caerlaverock

Caerlaverock Castle was the backdrop to the weekend of jousting

A south of Scotland castle stepped back in time at the weekend with a medieval jousting tournament.

Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries was the venue for the display of horsemanship.

Also on offer were falconry displays, living history camps and a brand new "school" to learn what it was like to be a squire for a knight.

The event was part of Historic Scotland's summer programme and took place on Saturday and Sunday.

The jousting was part of Historic Scotland's summer events programme

Jousting consists of a "mock battle" between two riders charging at each other with levelled lances, each one trying to knock the other off their horse.

They were part of early medieval tournaments but began to fall from favour in the early 16th Century.

Tilting or riding at rings is another form of jousting where a rider tries to put a lance through small metal rings.

The term joust was also used for contests between two men who fought on foot.

The event took place across Saturday and Sunday

Caerlaverock Castle, where the event was held, has a triangular shape which is unique among British castles.

It was besieged and captured on a number of occasions but the best-known sieges were in 1300 and 1640.

The first involved Edward I, with the small garrison surrendering to the English king's army within two days.

The second - the castle's last - went on for 13 weeks before the forces finally surrendered.

Afterwards it was stripped of fixtures and fittings and its south curtain wall demolished so it could never again be used as a place of defence.

The historic scenes have become a big attraction at the castle near Dumfries

Big crowds turned out on both days at Caerlaverock

The dramatic jousting action went on throughout both days

Caerlaverock Castle in southern Scotland was the scene of two famous sieges in 1300 and 1640

A falconry display was also part of the weekend's entertainment

Spectators saw some rain on Saturday - but Sunday proved much brighter