An estimated 12,000 people paraded through Edinburgh this lunchtime in a pro-Union march organised by the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland.
The event played out peacefully in bright sunshine as friends, family and bemused tourists looked on with interest.
Yes campaigners had called on their supporters not to attend or counter-march today, for fear that feelings might run high and result in unnecessary flare-ups en route. Better Together had also distanced themselves from the event.
What occurred was a peaceful and mostly good-natured event, although there was a noticeable presence of serious-looking men walking alongside the march and not being overly polite to police or fellow pedestrians as they pushed a way through.
Some people appeared to take the march very seriously indeed, but there were smiles, too ...
particularly at the foot of the Royal Mile, before the full horror of ascending Abbeyhill struck home.
We’re not sure where the Haw is, but we liked this band’s banner.
One musician in a yellow shirt attracted anxious glances as he prepared to swallow the last part of a ceremonial trombone ...
while these young participants were more into the rhythm than the politics.
There was room on the parade for all shapes, sizes ...
and ages.
