Scottish Cup winners parade live blog: Aberdeen players and staff on the bus - as Dons fans pack out Union Street

Press and Journal

25-05-2025

Scottish Cup final day proved to be a sensational one as Aberdeen and the Red Army travelled to Hampden, beat Celtic and lifted the trophy for the first time since 1990.
The Dons became heroes as they ended a 30-game winless run against the Hoops, and thousands of supporters made their way to the national stadium to cheer them on.
The Press and Journal was there for all the action – and today we are going to be all over the city to capture Aberdeen FC's celebratory parade.
Keep tabs with our live blog below – and stay tuned to The Press and Journal for more reaction to Aberdeen's glory day.
Charlie Forbes is at the bottom of Union Street. He's from Aberdeen – but in exile in Elgin.
He said: 'I have been a supporter for 50-odd years. I have waited 50-odd years for this.
'I remember the first televised game that was the Celtic v Lisbon Lions game, and I turned round, to my grannie of 80 year old, and said: 'I am a Celtic fan.'
'My grannie said: 'Oh Charles, support your hometown team.'
'I have had a life of ups and downs ever since!'
It is not Charlie's first Champions' parade, he was at the European Cup Winners' Cup parade in 1983.
Below are Kara Jeffrey and Steven Munro, with Lucie and Elliana, on Upperkirkgate.
It's the girls' first Scottish Cup and they're excited to wave their flags as the bus passes by .
Aberdeen's main throughfare is filling up nicely with half-an-hour to go until the Aberdeen Scottish Cup final parade is scheduled to leave from Albyn Place.
Our photographer Darrell Benns captured these images:
The Dons squad got on the normal team bus, to travel to Albyn Place, to board the open-top bus:
These Aberdeen fans were getting in a few pints at the Pittodrie Bar on King Street before heading to the parade.
Landlady Ellie Burr said: 'It was a fantastic atmosphere yesterday with free pints at full time and the odd Drambuie!
'We were ready for today so we've got extra staff on and we've made sure to order in plenty of supplies, with more Tennents especially'
Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie has arrived at Pittodrie in high spirits this morning, despite what was – going by social media – an understandably late night.
The captain, only the fifth on-field general to lead Aberdeen to a Scottish Cup triumph, looks ready to do it all again during Sunday's parade:
Aberdeen fans, clearly in need in a pick-me-up after a night of cup glory fun, are already gathering in the coffee shops around Broad Street, where today's celebratory parade will end.
The good news is the skies are brightening up!
Upperkirkgate is looking very grey this morning, but it will soon be turned red with the colours of Aberdeen FC as fans line the streets.
There will be a parade today starting at noon.
It will begin at noon from Albyn Place, where thousands of supporters are expected to gather early to catch a glimpse of their heroes boarding the open-top bus.
From there, the route will take the team and coaching staff through key city landmarks, offering fans plenty of chances to see the cup and cheer on the squad.
It will travel down Union Street, turning left at Union Terrace, then right at Schoolhill, before turning on to Broad Street.
Aberdeen will then disembark for a civic reception at the city's Townhouse.
It is going to be a big day for the city, and people have been told to plan ahead.
We have prepared an all you need to know guide here.
It is raining right now in Aberdeen, but the Met Office says it will clear during the morning ' to leave a mostly dry but windy day with sunny spells'.
The chance of showers over western parts increases during the afternoon.
Maximum temperature 15 °C.
After yesterday's incredible scenes from Hampden, the sun will surely shine on Aberdeen today.
In case you (SOMEHOW) missed it yesterday… Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years on Saturday.
We had comprehensive early to late coverage, from Aberdeen to Hampden, from fans' travel to their silverware ecstasy, on our live blog.
And we'll be doing it again on Sunday right here for the celebratory Aberdeen city centre parade!
Before the parade gets going (and party ramps back up!) at noon, here's some content you diehard Dons fans might want to catch up on:
Our mega live blog from the Aberdeen v Celtic:
Fans pictures from Aberdeen to Hampden:
Cup final reaction, reports and analysis: