On Friday 21^st September, over 500 happy children and adults donned their sports gear and took to Edinburgh's city centre to promote a healthier, happier attitude to health and fitness – and the many benefits it can bring.

The marchers joined cheerleaders, pipers, a unicyclist, elite Scottish athletes such as World Championship swimmer Robert Lang, Edinburgh Rugby players, Mark Robertson and Scott Newlands, plus the current Miss Scotland, Nieve Jennings, and Radio Forth DJ, Mark Martin.

PR Officer Michael Pinkerton explains the 'happy' concept: “Having had such a miserable summer and with a long, cold winter just around the corner, we thought Edinburgh deserved a lift – and what better way than a happy parade promoting the benefits of leading a more active life?

“Aside from the more obvious physical benefits, regular exercise can make us feel better mentally thanks to releasing those feel-good endorphins and, of course, with all the pressures of modern living, it’s the perfect de-stress.”

Following the parade, a free Happy Activity Carnival took place in Princes Street Gardens with activities such as fitness and dance classes, ‘test your speed’ football, golf swing analysis, face painting, volleyball, tennis, a bouncy castle, a bungee run and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena’s 6m portable climbing wall.

Our Chair, Derek Thomson,added: “As the largest leisure provider in the city, we share the City of Edinburgh Council’s vision to make Edinburgh the most active city in Europe by 2020.

“We hoped to send out a strong message to people in Edinburgh and to the rest of Scotland that we’re leading the way when it comes to physical activity and leading healthy, happy and fulfilling lives.”

The Parade and Carnival generated unprecedented media coverage and goodwill, contributing to our most successful September Health and Fitness campaign to date, during which we sold over 1,800 memberships.