Perth & Kinross Council today announced one of the largest civic celebrations in Scotland to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. The Council has arranged a variety of events in Perth on Saturday 2 June, which will make a fantastic day out for all the family.

The Diamond Jubilee line up is:

Parade of 1,000 Pipers

1,000 pipers from the UK and around the world will parade through Perth city Centre, joined by local youth organisations. The invitation to participate in this high profile one-off event has been extended to over 400 local, national and overseas pipe bands through the renowned Pipefest network. The recruitment campaign has started and includes bands from Germany, Malta, Switzerland, England, France, USA, Ireland, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Scotland. The parade contingent will be led by a number of local bands.

The 1,000 Pipers Parade route will commence at the North Inch, continue onto Rose Terrace, through Atholl Street, Kinnoull Street, High Street, St John’s Street, South Street, along Tay Street and under the dry arch. The Parade will conclude at the North Inch with a performance leading into and setting the scene for The Big Jubilee Lunch. 

The Big Jubilee Lunch

The Big Jubilee Lunch is an Eden Project initiative, encouraging people to have lunch with their neighbours as a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Think picnics, performances and proms, all in a lovely green space! Perth’s Big Lunch will see live music from Jambouree Singers, the NYCOS Boys Choir, Perth and Kinross Big Band, Perth and Kinross Fiddle Orchestra, Perthshire Brass, Cool Schools Samba Band, Rythym Wave and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. There will also be local produce available for people to buy.

Showcasing one of Perth’s magnificent green spaces, the North Inch, this will be a picnic with a difference, accessible to all in the heart of Perth.

Emily Watts, of the Eden Project Big Lunch said: “We are delighted that such a large Big Lunch event is taking place in Perth and Kinross, and would like to send our best wishes for the whole Jubilee celebration day.”

World Record-breaking Kilt Run

An attempt will be made to break the Guinness World Record for the most people running in kilts, along a scenic 8km route which links North Inch and South Inch along the spectacular River Tay. Runners can sign up by visiting www.perthkiltrun.co.uk

Sponsored by the Famous Grouse, The Kilt Run concept follows a challenge from Perth’s twin town of Perth, Ontario in Canada, who set the original record.

Perth and Kinross Provost John Hulbert said: “We’ve had a great response so far but we still need more people to sign up to help us break the record. Our Canadian friends have set the bar high with an official record of 1, 089 people to beat - let’s make sure Scotland beats that number!

“The event will provide something for everyone. Local people will be able to bring their families and enjoy a picnic and entertainment, visitors from near and far will see Perth showcased with the spectacular parade and we hope to make our name world-wide by breaking the kilt run record.”

The event will raise funds for two good causes – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, which assists serving and retired servicemen and women and their families, and PKAVS, which supports vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross.

Helen Mackinnon, from PKAVS, said: “It’s great news that Perth Kilt Run is going to be one of the major events within Perth’s Jubilee celebrations. The event should be a fantastic day, showing Scotland at its very best. Money raised throughout the day will make a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable in our society, for example 11-year-old young carer Katie who spends much of her time helping to care for her younger brothers who have autistic spectrum disorders. The charities urge everyone to get involved, enjoy a fantastic family day out and be a part of breaking a World Record!”

Charles Dunphie, from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added: “We’re hoping to see loads of different tartans out on the day. It’s going to be really interesting to see which tartan has the most runners! I really hope people throughout Scotland – and further afield - get behind this event. Soldiers give a huge amount to this country, the least we can do is help them and their families when they really need it.”