Scotland has been urged to "reject the politics of hate and division" as thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh to mark the 21st Pride festival.
The annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) event included a march down the Royal Mile and a tribute to the victims of last month's shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
The 2016 festival started a little later than in previous years because of the official opening of the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament by the Queen.
Politicians including Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie were in attendance at Pride after the opening of parliament.
Ms Dugdale spoke before the march headed off and said: "I'm here to march with you today in pride and solidarity for those who lost their lives in Orlando who we continue to grieve for today. We march in pride and anger at all those countries around the world where it is still illegal to be gay and we must redouble our efforts every single day to change that.
"And we march in pride and hope for all that we have achieved here in Scotland and across the United Kingdom."
MEP Alyn Smith, who was given a standing ovation after a speech in the European parliament this week, also spoke to the thousands gathered.
He said: "I made a speech this week because I didn't want Nigel Farage to be the face of our country. We live in troubled times but have come so far for our community and minority communities everywhere.
"Scotland is a great place to be but there are a lot of people feeling nervous in Scotland right now about where the UK's going after a vote to leave the European Union which Scotland rejected emphatically.
"Pride is important to celebrate where we are but also to remember how hard we had to work to get here and to remember that change is not irreversible.
"Let us say loudly and proudly that Scotland rejects the politics of hate and division and we are a welcoming European nation."
Pride Edinburgh started in 1995 and is the first major Pride event north of the border since 49 people were killed in the terror attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12.
A minute's silence was held at the start of the colourful march with many people in fancy dress or carrying rainbow flags.
Hundreds of people attended vigils in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the days after the massacre.
Brett Herriot, chair of the Pride Edinburgh committee, said: "The entire event is dedicated to them. One of our venues is having a tribute to them where all 49 names will be displayed.
"We have Orlando in the forefront of our minds this year."
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