West end gets Mardi Gras spirit

The Mardi Gras in pictures

Carnival costumes, dancers and some of the best street bands in the UK have filled the streets around the west end of Glasgow.

Scotland's Mardi Gras event formed part of the city's West End Festival, which runs through until 25 June.

The procession started at the Botanic Gardens and moved to the city's Kelvingrove Park to join the Mela Festival and end of parade concert.

Thousands of people packed the streets which were bathed in glorious sunshine.

The opening Mardi Gras parade marked the 10th anniversary of the festival.

More than 500 participants and bands took part, including young musicians from a number of local schools.

Mela music

The parade snaked down Byres Road, along Dumbarton Road in front of the Kelvin Hall and the Kelvingrove Art Galleries, to Kelvin Way and then into Kelvingrove Park.

The Mela Asian festival of music, dance and food was already taking place in the park.

It included local and international bands playing a variety of Bhangra and world music, as well as dancing ranging in styles from traditional Chinese to Bollywood.

There were also stages with music running throughout the day along Byres Road, which was closed until 2000 BST.