A Shetland pony proved an eye-catching attraction as the leader of a parade through a Moray town yesterday.
The animal was enlisted by a Forres youth group as a substitute donkey while they recreated a key bible passage to mark Palm Sunday.
And dozens of locals got behind the stocky creature, named Danny Boy, during a procession from St Leonard’s Church along the High Street.
Children waved maracas, banged cymbals and shook tambourines while singing some upbeat hymns during the march.
Passers-by were stopped in their tracks as Danny Boy trotted ahead, leading the colourful collective at his tail.
The quirky scene was intended to represent Jesus Christ’s entry to Jerusalem on a donkey, one week before his crucifixion, as told in the Bible.
Danny Boy’s owner, Vic Thomson, said the animal was becoming accustomed to the limelight.
Mr Thomson said: “He did the same thing last year in Forres, and led a different Palm Sunday walk in Dyke just before this one.
“He is quite used to this sort of thing with shows too, but he’s well-handled and he enjoys the attention.”
The parade started at 2.15pm and participants gathered at St Leonard’s Church afterwards to reflect on the event.
While there, children took part in an Easter egg hunt and enjoyed some well-earned refreshments.
The outing was arranged by the Forres Youth and Families Outreach Project, as an Easter-themed activity for families.
Organiser, Roy Anderson, said: “The group is about reaching out and doing what we can to support children in Forres.
“The walk is just something I came up with, it seemed like a good idea.
“I did try to get a donkey for it, as that is a bit more authentic.
“But that was difficult to manage, so this was the next best thing.
“Danny Boy is less temperamental than a donkey could prove to be, so it has worked well.”
