There were princesses, superheroes and grins as wide as the Clyde.
And as the sun rose above Glasgow, hundreds of children cheered and waved amid a chorus of giggles in the most fun-filled convoy of the year.
The VIPs, all of whom have additional support needs, enjoyed a trip to the seaside all thanks to “superhero” taxi drivers and the army of volunteers who took charge of the passengers.
The 74th annual Glasgow Taxi Outing left Kelvin Way in the city’s west end bound for Troon, with 100 decorated taxis driving more than 300 city school children.
Drivers dressed up, some as figures from The Wizard Of Oz to Ghostbusters, Batman to Rocky Balboa, Mary Poppins to Scooby Doo, and even as Donald Trump, to create a party atmosphere as the street was filled with balloons.
Since 1945, thousands of taxi drivers have donated their time and effort to make the annual trip to the Ayrshire coast.
Sauchiehall Street restaurant The Butchershop & Grill, run by James and Louise Rusk, handed out bacon rolls to youngsters and their parents, while drivers caught up with old friends and watched a pipe band procession led by the Lord Provost.
Eight-year-old Mollie Monaghan, who was wearing a Dorothy costume, from The Wizard Of Oz, had the day off school to travel to Troon with her father Paul and her grandparents. Paul was dressed as the Scarecrow.
He said: “It really is a great day. We’ve got the Tin Man, the Lion and the Wizard somewhere here too!”
Mollie said that while she loved getting to spend some time with her family, her favourite bit was “getting to go through all the red lights”.
Olivia Gibbons, who volunteered at the event, said: “We’ve just been enjoying the sun and looking at all the amazing taxis who have put so much effort in to get balloons in and the costumes on. It’s been a really good day.”
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More than 100 balloons were let off into the sky just before the taxis made their way to Shawlands and then to Troon, with crowds waving to the taxis
as they passed. First Bus also supported the event.
Jim Buchanan, chairman of the Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund charity, which organises the trip, said: “Once again, what an incredible day and it’s all for these children. So many people work their socks off and volunteer to make this happen and our sincere thanks go to them all.”
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