Hundreds celebrate Pride Edinburgh

Pride Edinburgh kicked-off at noon with a colourful march outside the Scottish Parliament, as participants made their way through the old town to Potterrow, with a live show as well as a Health and Community fair.

Unconfirmed reports estimate that a record number of around 2,000 people are participating in the event.

Despite the cool weather turn out was high and the atmosphere festive as participants marched through The Royal Mile and stopped outside the City Chambers for speeches.

The marched then moved on to Teviot Row and Potterrow culminating in Pride Festival featuring an all star set-list entertainment on three stages as well as a Health & Community Fair to run throughout the day and into the evening.

Star Tina Cousins will be headlining the main stage as the party goes on with her famous hits, such as Mysterious Times, Killing Time, Forever and Pray.

Other acts include, Michelle McManus, Rewind and Edinburgh Has Talent 2013 winner Saskia Eng, Rhetoriks and even the Sparkles Show, from Yumbo Centre in Gran Canaria, and their fabulous Miss DQ, who will host a show featuring Miss Cilla’s Drag Race, during the night.

The main stage also is sporting top DJs, such as DJ Laurie and Stephanie is animating the crowds throughout the afternoon until late in the evening.

A gay ceilidh will also take place at the Debating Hall of Teviot Row at 4pm, a Bear Space with its own bear band Wolf, a place of LGBT youth and a Trans Space.

The Pride march marks its 20th anniversary, and has been rebranded Pride Edinburgh, replacing its former name Pride Scotia.

The Scottish Government also showed its support by flying the Rainbow Flag over St. Andrew’s House.

Leading politicians also participated in the event, including Jim Eadie MSP, Alison Johnstone MSP, Joanna Cherry MP, Alyn Smith MEP and Scottish Government Minister Marco Biagi, who tweeted congratulating Pride Edinburgh for a “great turnout” showing how Scotland “has come so far.”

Prior to the march many attended a special “Pride Breakfast” at Serenity Café which offered face-painting, and even live entertainment from Courtney Lynn, Charly Houston, Katherine McMahon, Jo McFarlane, Jules & Pawel and Karen Flynn.