Landmark Pride event brings parade, performances and youth space to Galashiels
The Scottish Borders will hold its first-ever Pride celebration in Galashiels this Saturday, organisers have confirmed, bringing a parade through the town and an afternoon of free events aimed at boosting visibility for the region’s LGBTQ+ community.
The inaugural celebration will begin with participants gathering at Albert Place from 11.30am, ahead of a midday step-off that will carry marchers along Bank Street and Channel Street in a colourful display of solidarity. The main festival takes place at the Volunteer Hall between 12.45pm and 5pm and will feature stalls, live performances and community groups.
“This is a historic day for the Scottish Borders. Pride is about visibility, belonging, and celebrating our community,”
The comment came from Fay Sinclair, chairperson of Scottish Borders Pride, who said the event was an important milestone for a region that has not previously hosted a formal Pride celebration. Sinclair said the event underlined that the Borders is "a place where everyone is welcome, valued, and able to be themselves" and stressed the importance of standing together at a time when anti-LGBT hate crime is rising.
Programme and local provision
Organisers have arranged a dedicated youth space in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland, which will be open at the Great Tapestry of Scotland from 1pm to 4pm. The space is intended to provide a safe, welcoming environment for young LGBTQ+ people in the Borders.
Organisers also announced a ticketed evening ceilidh at the Galashiels MacArts Centre, organised by Scottish Borders LGBT Equality, to close the day’s celebrations. In addition, a free exhibition created by young people from LGBT Youth Scotland and TD1 Youth Hub exploring LGBTQ+ identities and relationships is running at the Great Tapestry until 30 August.
- Parade: gather 11.30am at Albert Place; step-off 12 noon
- Main event: Volunteer Hall, 12.45pm–5pm (stalls, performances)
- Youth space: Great Tapestry of Scotland, 1pm–4pm (LGBT Youth Scotland)
- Evening: ticketed ceilidh at Galashiels MacArts Centre (organised by Scottish Borders LGBT Equality)
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Parade | Saturday, 29 August — gather 11.30am, step-off 12 noon | Albert Place → Bank Street → Channel Street |
| Main event | 12.45pm–5pm | Volunteer Hall, Galashiels |
| Youth space | 1pm–4pm | Great Tapestry of Scotland |
Community backing and security concerns
Sinclair said the newly formed Scottish Borders Pride charity had been "blown away by the support from the LGBTQ+ community and allies across the Borders and beyond" and looked forward to welcoming people to a free, inclusive event. The public nature of the parade and festival, and the organisers’ explicit reference to rising anti-LGBT hate crime, mean the event will be both a celebration and a public demonstration of solidarity for those who feel marginalised.
Local services, including venue operators and community groups, have contributed to planning, while a separate ticketed event will provide an evening focus for people wishing to continue celebrations after the free daytime programme concludes.
For further information, organisers have supplied contact details: email [email protected] or call Fay Sinclair on 07834 597728.
The arrival of Pride in Galashiels marks a significant moment for civic life in the Borders. As the town hosts its first parade and related events, residents can expect increased footfall in the town centre, coordinated public-safety arrangements, and a visible reaffirmation of inclusion in a part of Scotland where formal Pride programming has not previously taken place.
