Carbon protesters reach capital

Marchers made their way through Edinburgh on Saturday

Several hundred walkers have attended a rally in Edinburgh as part of an 80-day protest march highlighting the impact of global warming.

They joined 18 protesters who are walking 1,000 miles around the UK, taking in 70 towns and cities, for Christian Aid's Cut the Carbon march.

They are carrying a petition calling for Britain to negotiate a new global agreement to curb climate change.

A rally was held in Edinburgh's Meadows on Saturday afternoon.

Musicians Amy Macdonald, Attic Lights and Soweto Kinch all performed at the rally.

Scottish actor Billy Boyd, star of Lord of the Rings, played a short set with his band Beecake.

Boots 'not made for walking'

The Edinburgh stretch of the walk was led by The Right Reverend Sheilagh Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

She was joined by Daleep Mukarji, director of Christian Aid.

About 50,000 people are expected to join the 18 walkers along the route over 11 weeks.

The marchers, who come from a wide range of countries affected by climate change, including India and Brazil, will speak about the impact of rising temperatures on their homelands.