Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

‘It feels good to be back celebrating who we are’: Thousands take to Aberdeen streets for Grampian Pride

Thousands turn out for Grampian Pride 2022. Picture by Kenny Elrick / DCT Media.
Thousands turn out for Grampian Pride 2022. Picture by Kenny Elrick / DCT Media.

Thousands flocked to the streets of Aberdeen, decked out in costumes or waving flags and banners, to revel in the return of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebration in the north-east.

Grampian Pride returned to the Granite City on Saturday, flooding the grey streets with bright colours, music and fun.

The event, organised by LGBT+ charity Four Pillars, celebrated its fifth year of encouraging people to “just be yourself”.

Despite being an overcast and cloudy day, Alford Place was swarming with people waiting in anticipation and buzzing with excitement.

This was the first time since 2019 that Grampian Pride was able to return in full to the city.

Deejay Bullock, event lead coordinator, explained a virtual event and even a Winter Parade was organised in 2021, however, they were unable to host the Village down by Queen’s Links.

People marched down Union Street towards Marischal College. Picture by Kenny Elrick.

The parade began at Holburn Junction at 11am, before working its way down Union Street.

Floats, drummers and performers were joined by both members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community as they marched down Union Street.

Rainbow flags fluttered in the sky as the happy chatter of people and music filled the air.

‘Bringing community back together’

Almost 6,000 people bought tickets to take part in the parade alone and Mr Bullock, chief executive of Four Pillars, described it as “fantastic” to be back.

“Just that sense of community coming back together just warms my heart,” he added. “That’s what this is all about – bringing our community back together after such a trying time.”

Picture by Kenny Elrick.

For some people, this was the first time they were able to take part in the celebrations.

Emilia Soultana, 22, is a student at Aberdeen University and this celebration was her first Pride event.

She came along with her friend and fellow student, Anaelle Perreau, 22, who had been to Pride before but not in Scotland.

“It was really nice to see all the people joining in,” Miss Perreau said. “We’re French and it’s nice to see Pride here in Scotland.

“It’s nice to be here with other people celebrating.”

Liam Beveridge, 27, is a student at SRUC and this was his first time at Grampian Pride.

He said: “It feels really good to be here, obviously because of Covid and everything, it feels good to be back and celebrating who we are.”

Plenty of dogs were able to join in on the celebrations. Picture by Kenny Elrick.

‘It’s been good to see the support’

Stewart Farquhar, 32, a member of Aberdeen FrontRunners said taking part in the event was a fun way to meet other groups and get involved.

He said: “We’re an LGBT sports group in Aberdeen and it’s been really fun to meet other groups and get involved, see the community spirit and see Aberdeen get behind the local pride event.

“Especially after the last couple of years it’s been great to get back out there and the turnout has been absolutely amazing.

“Not just people in the parade but also the people lining up in the streets and the businesses that have been getting out the pride flags and getting behind us. It’s been good to see the support.”


GALLERY: All the best pictures of Grampian Pride 2022


Another member of the running club, 23-year-old Aidan Colquhoun agreed and said he was happy to see young people out supporting the event.

“Seeing so many young people with their families is so important that they’re here at Pride and they realise it’s such an accepting and welcoming place.

“And that’s what I think is really important and great about the next generation, the environment that they’re growing up in.”

The protest then moved along Broad Street before stopping outside Marischal College. Picture by Kenny Elrick.

Once the parade finished at Castlegate, the celebrations moved on to the Village at Queen’s Links and the Beach Esplanade.

Venues across the city are holding events throughout the day and into the evening to continue celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Conversation