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Pipe band parade to celebrate Royal Week
02/07/2012
A spectacular celebration of pipe music, drumming and dancing will be hosted on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to mark the Queen’s visit to Scotland during the Diamond Jubilee year, Cabinet Secretary for Government Strategy Bruce Crawford has announced.
Pipe bands, dancers and drummers from community groups across Scotland will be led down the Mile on Thursday 5 July in the wake of the Thistle Service in St Giles’ Cathedral at which The Earl of Strathearn will be installed as a Knight of the Thistle.
The event, which will feature 400 pipers led by the Lothian and Borders Police band, will conclude outside the Scottish Parliament for a spectacular finale featuring traditional folk music, Highland dancing and the massed pipers playing for the assembled crowd gathered in Edinburgh to see The Queen during her visit to Scotland in Royal Week.
During their week-long trip, The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will visit places including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, taking part in various engagements, such as a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a service of thanksgiving in Glasgow Cathedral and a visit to Perth College UHI.
Mr Crawford said the event – to be known as ‘Scotland’s Royal Week Spectacular’ – would provide a colourful and memorable tribute to Her Majesty during her visit to Edinburgh in this, her Diamond Jubilee year.
Mr Crawford said:
“All over Scotland this week, people are celebrating the dedicated service of Her Majesty The Queen as she travels north for Royal Week.
“Many thousands of Scots will turn out to greet The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during their various engagements in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, demonstrating the great warmth and affection in which the Royal Family is held in Scotland.
“On Thursday, The Queen will be in Edinburgh to take part in a very special service in St Giles, at which Prince William will be appointed a Knight of the Thistle.
“To add to the occasion and help as many people as possible enjoy the celebrations, I am delighted to announce that a spectacular parade of pipers, drummers and dancers will march down the Royal Mile in the wake of the service, before assembling at the Scottish Parliament for a finale featuring the assembled artists and a recital of traditional music.
“As well as marking Royal Week, the event will showcase the talents of many of Scotland’s community groups, with dancers and pipers from as far afield as Hawick, Crieff and Forfar travelling to Edinburgh to take part.
“Alongside the already exciting Royal Week programme, this event will offer a colourful and memorable tribute to Her Majesty as she visits Scotland in this, Her Jubilee year.”
The parade will begin from the City Chambers on the Royal Mile at 12.30pm, before making its way down to the Scottish Parliament.
The entertainment finale, featuring folk band Whisky Kiss, the massed pipers and 30 highland dancers will commence at 1pm outside the Parliament.
Community groups from Burntisland, Crieff, Forfar, Hawick, Methil, Moodiesburn, North Berwick, Port Seton, Prestonpans, Rothesay and Towie will take part in the celebrations.