Pipefest set to go off with a bang as One O'clock Gun starts parade

The massed pipe band will form up at Johnston Terrace at noon, marching off on the signal of the One O'clock Gun for the Pipefest event which kicks off a weekend of events in Holyrood Park.

Former Scottish rugby captain Gavin Hastings will then lead musicians from 27 countries down the Royal Mile and past the Scottish Parliament to Holyrood Park, where they will gather for a grand finale, starting at 4pm.

Participants have been asked to seek sponsorship for taking part, and it is hoped the event will raise around 100,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Organiser Magnus Orr said: "It's a fantastic, fun, free event for the family. There's lots of entertainment, particularly the pipe bands, which will be marching past a lot of Edinburgh's most iconic locations.

"We'll be giving out flags and balloons, and there will be a bouncy castle and the Army are doing a free assault course.

"There will be lots going on, lots of good food, and just to get this many people marching together in the capital of Scotland is something special."

Among those taking part will be grandfather and granddaughter, 89-year-old George and 17-year-old Hannah Kerr.

Mr Kerr, who is the oldest participant in the parade, is Edinburgh born-and-bred, but will be travelling from his current home in Peterborough to take part in the parade with the town's Highland Pipe Band.

He said: "I'm keen to come because I play the pipes and Edinburgh was my home - I left in 1941.

"I've been to all three of the previous ones and this is the fourth one, and I think at 89 I should call a halt after this - I don't think I'll be blowing a set of pipes at the next one."

His granddaughter plays with him in the band, where he will celebrate his 60th year of membership next year.

He said: "Hannah is keen, but chose to go on the drums. She's also showing some interest at this time in wanting to go onto the pipes, so we shall see."

Robbie McIntosh, regional events manager for Marie Curie Cancer Care said: "Pipefest is going to be a fantastic day out for all involved. We've got pipers from all over the world taking part, all raising money for a great cause. I'd urge anyone in Edinburgh to come down and experience the wonderful festival atmosphere."

The parade will kick off a series of six Pipefests around the globe, all taking place within a 24 hour period. As the Edinburgh spectacular draws to a close, a festival will begin in Tintagel, north Cornwall.

Then, in New York, pipers will play on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid, where they hope to set a new world record for the largest band to play on an aircraft carrier.

The festival then moves onto Ottowa, Hong Kong, and Coffs Harbour, Australia.

Edinburgh's Pipefest kicks off a weekend of events in Holyrood Park. On Sunday it will play host to the Festivals Cavalcade, which features the cast of the Military Tattoo, floats, and bands. It runs from 2pm until 3pm, with entertainment in the park from noon until 4pm.

• See tomorrow's Evening News for full details of the Cavalcade.