Scotland’s bi-annual LGBT celebration, Pride Scotia is returning to the capital with its usual array of provocative and outrageous happenings. Revellers are asked to assemble at noon on Sat 27 Jun at the City Chambers for speeches from local politicians and community leaders before setting off on the Pride March, down the Royal Mile, past the Scottish Parliament building, and ending up in Calton Square.

‘Although we’ve been trying to confirm a route for over a year, we’ve been frustrated by Edinburgh’s tram works,’ says Pride Scotia chair John Hein. ‘But now we know where we are going to and from, we’ll be working with local pubs and clubs to make Pride Scotia 2009 a day to remember.’

Special events include the Health and Community Fair, held in Mood Nightclub from 2pm–5pm, while LGBT Youth Scotland will be running their regular event for young people in Gayfield Square. A creche, organised for the event by the Edinburgh Creche Co-op, will be available free of charge at McDonald Road Library on the afternoon of Pride.

A live PA from teeny boppers Same Difference gets the party started on Friday 26 at GHQ, while Saturday is full of post-march celebrations, and on Sunday Cilla presents Porn Idol with two strippers. Nightclub CC Blooms opens its doors at noon and will be holding a free fundraising barbecue over lunchtime followed by karaoke, an appearance from drag queen Sassy Stryker and music from the club’s regular DJs, with none other than Lee Ryan from Blue topping the bill. CC’s continues the party into the following day with a special post-pride ELECTROsexual Out and Proud party, with Lucky Luciano on the decks and a dress code of pink, rainbow colours, fetish, camp, and OTT.

And there’s still time to get involved. Pride Scotia will be looking for volunteers on the day, so if you can help email [email protected] or phone 0131 556 9471.

Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 27 Jun. For full programme details please see www.pride-scotia.org