The sun is shining down on the streets of Aberdeen for the city’s first ever pride parade.
The parade down Union Street was led by Aberdeen-born Hollyoaks actress Annie Wallace.
The day-long festival, which started at 10.30am from Albyn Place, is shining a light on the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community.
Banff born singer-songwriter Sandi Thom will headline the celebrations when they continue later today at the Grampian Pride Village, which has been erected at the Beach Boulevard.
She will be joined by 16-year-old singer Jack Rose and Aberdeen rock band Daydream Frenzy.
Leading the parade was a specially decorated fire engine from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
We hope you are enjoying #GrampianPride2018 in the beautiful sunshine! #JustBeYourself #WeAreSFRS pic.twitter.com/sgkIxUXKvi
— Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) May 26, 2018
More than £50,000 has been raised for the event with local businesses including Brewdog, Aberdeen Arts Centre and Siberia Bar acting as venues.
Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart expressed his delighted be to at the event.
First Aberdeen are currently offering a pound off day tickets to show their support as people celebrate across the city.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden has been enjoying the scorching weather and colourful atmosphere.
Marchers donned colourful clothes and rainbow flags to celebrate the north-east’s LGBT community. People took to social media to share their experiences, including politician and Aberdeen University rector Maggie Chapman.
Sunshine on @GrampianPride with @AberdeenGreens @scotgp pic.twitter.com/rbSRgGNday
— Maggie Chapman (@Maggie4Scotland) May 26, 2018
Organisations from across Aberdeen were also out to celebrate the event.
Shelter Scotland Aberdeen supporting Grampian Pride @shelterscotland@Ionacar23pic.twitter.com/KLJgCQ3keg
— Mark J Thomson (@mjt24968) May 26, 2018
Charities such as Alcohol & Drugs Action, LEAP sports and Shelter Scotland all had volunteers attend.
Happy Pride, Aberdeen! What a wonderful day – and the sun is out for all of our LGBTQ+ celebrations! ??️? pic.twitter.com/I5uRYPUwxE
— Foodstory (@FoodstoryCoffee) May 26, 2018
Proud of our pride- stepping out to join the first ever @GrampianPride march! #GrampianPride2018 pic.twitter.com/C2vlTzUC3r
— Spirit Energy (@spirit_energy) May 26, 2018
Businesses such as the Bank of Scotland, Spirit Energy and the Tivoli Theatre have all voiced their support too.
Later this afternoon an Aberdeen couple will be making the day even more special by getting married.
Nydine Park, 29 and Joy McIntosh, 44, tied the knot at Union Square’s pop-up wedding altar.
Love blossoms during first Grampian Pride as Union Square plays host to wedding ceremony
After the parade has finished, the festivities will continue at the Grampian Pride Village. Aberdeen Lord Provost Barney Crockett was “delighted” to welcome people to the event.
A sign language translator for the concert stage was made available to make the event as inclusive as possible.
At the Pride Village, LGBT charity PinkSaltire has an open exhibition on “LGBT and the equality journey.”
— Kieran Beattie (@KNBeattie) May 26, 2018
Event organiser Justine Smithies said: “Aberdeen has been needing a Pride for ages… this is history”.
British Transport Police attended the parade and got involved with the fun.
We’re at #GrampianPride2018 and the guys from @TGIFridaysUK abdn beach branch – they’ve made us some balloon handcuffs…give them a shout and they’ll make you some balloon animals too!! @GrampianPride pic.twitter.com/pgxdDiXFns
— BTP North Scotland (@BTPNorthScot) May 26, 2018
The Grampian Pride Village will close at 8pm, but celebrations in Aberdeen are likely to go on much longer into the night.
