Parade could replace cavalcade

A SPECTACULAR parade down the Royal Mile could replace the long-running Festivals Cavalcade.

Edinburgh City Council is in talks with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo about helping to run the new event, which would mark the start of the city's festival season.

The council is looking for alternatives to the cavalcade after David Todd, who has organised the event since 2003, stood down. Almost 50,000 for this year's show has been set aside for the new parade. The event, to be launched next year, would start at Edinburgh Castle and end at Holyrood Park.

Deputy Council leader Steve Cardownie said: "We're keen to ensure there is another event which heralds the start of festivals season."