Revellers gear up for gay march

The gay pride march kicks off in Edinburgh on Saturday

A gay festival in the capital is set to get under way at the weekend following its revival as a major outdoor event.

Thousands of revellers are expected to join a parade through the city centre to Pilrig Park.

Pride Scotia, Scotland's annual Gay Pride event begins at 1300 BST on Saturday in East Market Street, organisers said.

The event alternates annually between Edinburgh and Glasgow and was last held in the Scottish capital in 2005.

Until now the event has largely centred in bars and clubs.

Folk music

The park is set to become a village of marquees, with a large stage for cabaret and comedy acts and another for a tea dance and ceilidh.

The march will travel up Market Street and down The Mound on to Princes Street.

It will proceed through St Andrew Square, along York Place, down Broughton Street to East Claremont Street, before going along Broughton Road to Pilrig Street.

The festivities will start in the park from about 1430 BST and run until 1930 BST.

The event will feature live music from various genres including the Loud and Proud Choir, some folk music, pop, rock and punk.