Hundreds line Edinburgh streets as Gail Porter leads first ever Tartan Parade
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Hundreds took to the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday for the first Tartan Parade.
Marching from City Chambers, Gail Porter led the parade through the city with around 1,600 participants. Kyle Dawson, president of New York's Tartan Week, was also at the helm.
Pipe bands from around the world and Highland dance troupes performed for the crowds as the parade made its way to Princes Street Gardens, reports the Daily Record.
Performers included Chinese lion and dragon dancers and Viking "jarl squads" from Shetland. In the afternoon, a ceilidh took place at the Ross Bandstand.
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Lord provost Robert Aldridge welcomed marchers from the top of the Mercat Cross in the Royal Mile, as the city enjoyed a day of warm, sunny weather.
He said: "It's absolutely fantastic to see so many people gathered here on the Mile.
(Image: Jeff)
"What better way to celebrate the 900-year anniversary of our city than with the first Edinburgh Tartan Day Parade with the sun shining down on us."
New York hosts an annual parade as part of its Tartan Day celebrations, with Scottish pipe bands marching up Sixth Avenue.
(Image: Jeff)
The inaugural Edinburgh parade was designed to "celebrate the Scottish culture, foster community engagement, and commemorate Edinburgh's significant 900th anniversary as a city".
It is hoped it will become an annual event.
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