The Highland capital celebrated its second Proud Ness parade this weekend with crowds of almost 10,000 making it one of the biggest events of its kind in Scotland.
The festival, which featured ever-inventive ways of wearing rainbow colours, progressed from Crown Primary School to Bught Park through packed streets, in a multi-generational event characterised by high spirits and exuberance.
Themed ‘We are Family’, it was the second pride parade in less than a year, following on from the success of the inaugural event last October.
On that occasion, more than 5000 people came from all over Scotland to march and celebrate the first large-scale pride event in the Highlands.
Proud Ness chairwoman Jess Taylor said: “This time, it was quite overwhelming.
“The highlight came when fifty bikers led the parade from the bottom of Stephen’s Brae with an amazing thundering roar.
“What was different from last year’s parade, and more like other parades in big cities was the way crowds turned out to pack the streets, it wasn’t just the LGBT+ community.”
This year’s proceedings brought people from all over the Highlands, including Orkney.
Holidaymakers from France, Spain and the USA also made a point of joining the walk.
She said: “Things have changed so quickly since the first march. There are now volunteer and social groups meeting up regularly in Thurso, Kyle and across Highland that didn’t exist before.
“We’re pushing out beyond Inverness to help LGBT+ people living in remote areas to feel comfortable.
“I was really moved when a man in his late 40s came up to me to thank us. He said it was his first ever pride, and it was amazing.”
The crowds packed out the Proud Ness tent for more speeches and iconic anthems such as Sister Sledge’s We Are Family, and George Michael’s Freedom 91 sung by the Highland Voices Gospel Choir.
The party continued at Under Canvas at Eden Court after gates closed at Bught Park with DJ Karawane and a special performance from the first ever Miss Drag Highland, Venus Guytrap.
Revellers partied on into the small hours in town at the many venues showing their support for the LGBT community.
Gerry Reynolds, Inverness Events Manager at Highland Council, said: “The parade was superb. From what we’re hearing Glasgow pride had an estimated 7,000 crowd, Edinburgh around 9,000 and Inverness 10,000, which is tremendous for our city.”