June 17, 1995 was a real landmark occasion, as it was the day Auld Reekie conquered prejudice with a resounding display of Pride, as more than 3,000 people triumphantly marched together from Broughton Street to the Meadows via Princes Street.
Fast forward to today, and the longest-running LGBTQIA+ celebration in Scotland has grown massively since 1995. This year’s event is a day-long affair, culminating in a huge open-air gig from pop sensations Atomic Kitten. The chart-topping girl group will close the celebrations at Bristo Square, upon the completion of the annual march through the city’s streets
As thousands of people take to the streets of Edinburgh to celebrate diversity on Saturday, we look back to that first ever Pride march in the city. Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to 1995 – and let us know your own memories in the comments section before you go.
As thousands of people take to the streets of Edinburgh to celebrate diversity on Saturday, we look back to that first ever Pride march in the city. Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to 1995 – and let us know your own memories in the comments section before you go.
![While there had been a string of gay pride rallies and marches in the Eighties and Nineties, never before had Scotland’s LGBT community been united in such a way and in such large numbers.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdmMWY4M2FhLTIxY2ItNDFiOC05YzEyLWQwYTkxMjhjMDFmYjo5ZjBhNzc2Yy0wMGQ0LTRlYmEtOWUwZC04ZDFmM2Q4YTRjZGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Largest Pride march
While there had been a string of gay pride rallies and marches in the Eighties and Nineties, never before had Scotland’s LGBT community been united in such a way and in such large numbers.Photo: Equality Network
![The event was the brainchild of Edinburgh University students Laura Norris and Duncan Hothersall, who were keen to emulate the incredible success of the Pride movement south of the border.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmY1ZWY4NjNiLWRhMzEtNGYzNS1hMjA1LWIyNDY5MWM5M2M3YTpjNDNjY2Q5NC00M2RlLTQzMGUtYTFmNS0zNzIwNGQ4ZDczYmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Official logo
The event was the brainchild of Edinburgh University students Laura Norris and Duncan Hothersall, who were keen to emulate the incredible success of the Pride movement south of the border.Photo: Equality Network
![More than 3000 people joined the march, which started at Broughton Street and made its way along Princes Street and towards the Meadows.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmFmODE1MmQ0LTVjNjEtNDMyMi1hN2JkLTA0ODJjYmEwOGU1NDphM2M3OWU3Mi0yNWJlLTRjMDYtODczMy1hMzgyZDYyMjI0NTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Princes Street marchers
More than 3000 people joined the march, which started at Broughton Street and made its way along Princes Street and towards the Meadows.Photo: TINA NORRIS
![Participants recall the electric atmosphere of the event, which attracted people from all walks of life.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjVkNDgyZDJiLWE0ZmQtNGE3NS1hMDY3LTIzMzg4M2EyNGQzNjpkN2IwZjE4YS1mMWJjLTQ3OTYtYWE5Yi03MzRkODA4MDFjZWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Electric atmosphere
Participants recall the electric atmosphere of the event, which attracted people from all walks of life.Photo: Equality Network