Cavalcade moves to Holyrood Park

Edinburgh Festivals Cavalcade - picture by Charlie McCartney from Glenrothes

The Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade is being moved to Holyrood Park to avoid tram works in the city centre, event organisers have confirmed.

David Todd, the event's director, told BBC Scotland news website, the capital's annual parade will "amalgamate" with Fringe Sunday.

The event will run on 9 August, the first Sunday of the Edinburgh Festival, in a one-off temporary move.

Traditionally the parade travelled through Princes Street.

It is hoped that keeping Princes Street closed in August over the Edinburgh Festival will allow the tram works to get back on schedule after delays.

I am excited that I can now reassure people that the Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade will happen this year and it will happen in Holyrood Park David Todd Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade

Mr Todd said although all the event details had not been finalised he thought it would start about 1400 BST with acts performing in the playing field between Meadowbank and Holyrood Palace from noon.

It is thought the parade will snake up Queen's Drive to the Commonwealth Pool.

The same £51,000 council grant will be used for the event, which will see the parade cut from 90 minutes to an hour because more acts will be able to perform before the parade in Holyrood Park.

He said: "I am excited that I can now reassure people that the Edinburgh Festivals' Cavalcade will happen this year and it will happen in Holyrood Park.

"My concern had been that we would get nearer the time and then the council would announce that Princes Street wasn't going to be reopened for the festival.

"But now I can plan for the arrangements at Holyrood Park.

"It must be stressed that this would only be a temporary move, Princes Street is still the cavalcade's home but it gives us the opportunity to try something different."

The annual Fringe Sunday event is in jeopardy this year because of a £75,000 funding shortfall.

Talks with potential sponsors are expected to be concluded in the next few weeks, but if a deal is not struck then it is unlikely the event will take place.

A spokesman for Historic Scotland, which runs Holyrood Park, said: "A number of positive discussions and meetings have been held since the initial approach and Historic Scotland has agreed that the park can be used as a venue for this year.

"We will continue to work with a range of city partners to ensure that Holyrood Park proves to be a successful temporary location for the Festival Cavalcade."