Everything you need to know about Highland Pride’s parade through Inverness city centre to mark their 2024 celebrations
Highland Pride returns this weekend with a march through Inverness city centre.
The celebrations for 2024 look somewhat different to years gone by, with the renovation works going on at Bught Park and the Northern Meeting Park meaning that the parade and party have been split into separate events.
The march, though, takes place this Saturday June 22, starting from Crown Primary School at 1.30pm.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive and begin queuing earlier than that, though, with marchers asked to be at the school no later than 1.20pm.
From the school the march will set off along Kingsmills Road and down Stephen’s Brae, before proceeding down the High Street as far as Church Street.
There, the march will cross over to Academy Street, and back towards the finishing point of Falcon Square.
No tickets are required to take part, and the parade is open to people of all ages, although under-16s must be accompanied by someone 21 years old or above. Dogs are also allowed.
Banners, balloons, costumes and flags are all encouraged, while alcohol and drug consumption, nudity, offensive slogans and images, glass bottles and open flames are all prohibited.
Highland Pride chair Sand Owsnett commented: “We’re hoping to see many people on the parade celebrating Pride and showing their support, and that it will be a joyful colourful fun occasion.
“We hope the sun shines and everyone has a wonderful time, and stays for the entertainment in the Eastgate Shopping Centre after the parade.”
Outside of the parade march itself, there will be information stalls and entertainment at the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Stalls will be in place from noon, allowing attendees to go around before or after going on the match, while entertainment at the community stage will kick off after the march is finished, from 2.30pm.
Speeches will kick off the on-stage action, before performances from Holly Chic and friends, Mama Nitro, Alice Brown and Ant Collesso.
There is an unofficial after party taking place at Gunsmiths Bar, but the Highland Pride-organised party will take place on Saturday, July 6 at Eden Court, with tickets going on sale the morning of June 21.
Again, that afternoon there will be information stalls, before the One-Touch Theatre opens up for a celebration of LGBTQ+ identities between 4pm and 8pm.
