If the Gathering in Edinburgh was the jewel in Scotland’s Homecoming crown, then the parade up the Royal Mile arguably provided the sparkle in that jewel.
The Saturday evening procession from the parliament to the castle was undertaken by 8,000 people, who were cheered on by a vocal crowd of over 20,000.
Each clan grouped itself together for the historic march, and the cobbled streets of Edinburgh resounded with calls of support and jeers of derision as ancient loyalties were stirred and given modern voice.
The parade made its way to the castle esplanade where they witnessed 200 performers in the massive production of Aisling’s Children, a saga of Scotland through the last 900 years.
The weekend saw 60,000 visitors from at least 40 different countries congregate in the capital as the Scottish dispora returned for a celebration on the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.
Gathering organisers Lord Jamie Sempill and Jenny Gilmour said the event had “exceeded our wildest expectations.”
They added: “The ambience and great sense of occasion was created by the people who joined us for this celebration of Scotland’s culture, clans and families. This was a truly international gathering – thank you for being a part of history.”
