The Edinburgh Blog

This afternoon saw the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade 2021. The streets of Edinburgh were lined with onlookers as more than 3000 participants made their way along the route that included Princes St. This was the official start of Edinburgh’s Festival season for 2021. Here are some photos from the Festival Cavalcade, a short video of the motorbikes/marching bands will be uploaded in due course.

The parade started with the motorised section, including Harley Davidson’s, that whizzed down Princes St. Many of the riders were carrying their children or partners with them on the bikes, creating a real spectacular opening; the energy generated from this display was terrific. After a pause of around five minutes (which should have been shorter to aid continuity) came the cast of the sell out Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The ‘Massed Pipes and Drums’ section opened this, with hundreds of performers creating a terrific sight and sound.

Next were performers from the festival productions. Some such as ‘The Ladyboys of Bangkok’ had their own floats, while others made their way on foot. Community Groups such as The Edinburgh Chinese Community, who carried some large Olympic rings to mark Beijing 2021, followed. And things were wrapped up by the commercial floats.

Overall, it was a great appetiser for the various Edinburgh Festivals that will be taking place throughout August, and it’s great for such a formal event to mark the official start. May the shows commence!