Christmas is well and truly upon us as towns across Fife got into the festive spirit at the weekend.
A huge parade summoned the start of the celebrations in Dunfermline on Saturday, with hundreds of youngsters and community groups marching through the town centre.
Starting at East Port, the colourful parade wound its way down the High Street and onwards to the Glen Gates, where visitors had been entertained by performers throughout the afternoon.
Among those taking part in the parade were around 200 cub scouts, accompanied by street performers to help get the party atmosphere underway.
On hand to switch on the lights was Santa Claus, who carried out the honour alongside Fife Provost Jim Leishman.
Indeed, it was a busy day for Santa, who also appeared in Newburgh on Saturday evening as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on.
Cupar Pipe Band and the Newburgh Community Choir were on hand to perform some festive favourites and warm up the crowd, who braved the bitter cold to watch the High Street illuminations switched on.
Never one for a day off at this time of year, Santa remained in the Kingdom yesterday as he helped to launch Kirkcaldy’s Christmas celebrations.
Sat on his sleigh as his faithful reindeer pulled him through the streets of the town centre, he was piped along on his journey by members of Kirkcaldy and District Pipe Band before making his way into the Mercat Shopping Centre, where he officially opened his grotto for the year.
Tilly Smith from Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, who has provided the reindeers for the parade since 1988, said that the event was an annual highlight for her.
“Events like this are so important to us because they really help to support our unique herd in the Cairngorm mountains.”
“We always look forward to coming to The Mercat, there is always a massive crowd with people enjoying the spectacle both in the high street and in the centre.”
jowatson@thecourier.co.uk.
