The skirl of bagpipes rang out across Moray this weekend as bands took part in the first ever mass procession through Elgin town centre.
Hundreds watched on as bands from the town joined fellow musicians from Ullapool, Strathisla and Huntly for a Scottish theme day organised by the town’s Business in Development (BID) group.
On Saturday morning the various pipers and drummers played at venues throughout the town centre, before congregating to march through the heart of Elgin that afternoon.
Elgin BID’s Gill Neill hailed the success of the event, and outlined her hopes the gathering could become an annual occasion.
She said: “It was a fantastic day, we had between 60 and 70 pipers and drummers all playing so it was quite spectacular.
“Whenever we stage events like this the pipe bands are always the most popular acts, so we decided to capitalise on that with this event – and thankfully the other bands volunteered to help.
“People turned up dressed in tartan for the occasion, and a lot of tourists had a great time getting photographs.
“Saturday was the first time we’ve ever had a mass pipe band march through the centre of Elgin, and it is something we want to expand on in the future.
“As a group we are dedicated to the promotion of local businesses and we’ve had reports from town centre retailers that they had a real boost in trade during the event.”
Elgin City South councillor Graham Leadbitter added: “Despite it being a bit of a chilly day the Scottish theme event, and particularly the presence of the pipe bands, proved a great attraction in bringing people to the centre of Elgin.
“And I believe the increase in visitors provided a significant boost to the local economy.”
Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans also said she hopes the event could become an annual extravaganza.
She said: “Anything that brings people into the town, and appeals to local people as well as tourists, is to be welcomed and I think there are a lot of pipe band enthusiasts in the area.
“I’d support Elgin BID in trying to grow the event in the future.”
In a further attempt to improve trade in the centre of Elgin, the BID group has recently overseen the launch of free parking at the town’s two multi-storey car parks.
A six-month trial period of free parking every day after 3pm will begin early next month at both the St Giles Centre and Batchen Lane car parks.