A party in the grounds of St Andrews University is to be televised around the world Scots turn out for royal wedding
A party in the grounds of St Andrews University is to be televised around the world Breakfast parties and school parades are among events being held in Scotland to celebrate the royal wedding.
St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met, is to host a breakfast for about 1,500 people, which will be televised worldwide.
Balmoral Castle visitors will be able to watch the wedding on big screens.
However, there is expected to be a protest in Edinburgh, and a large unofficial party in Glasgow has been criticised by the local council.
Far fewer official street parties have been organised than in England, with 16 taking place in Edinburgh, seven in East Lothian and four in the Borders.
There is just one road closure in Glasgow for a street party. And in a number of areas, including North Ayrshire, West Lothian and Aberdeen, there have been no official parties registered.
‘No feelgood factor’
Shetland and Highland councils have not given their employees the day off.
Highland Council said it would have cost £350,000 to provide cover for frontline employees, such as social workers.
Street parties in Scotland
The number of official street parties taking place may give a misleading impression that there is a low level of public interest in celebrating the royal wedding.
They only include those street parties which have required council permission.
They take no account of, for instance, celebrations in church halls, pubs, community centres or even large private gardens.
A spokesperson said: “The council has made so many cuts already. We urge our staff to think about their position and how lucky they are to have a job with the council.
“I know people will be disappointed, but the decision was made for the very best of reasons.”
However, more than 40 schools in the Highlands, involving more than 4,000 pupils and teachers, will take part in events such as mock weddings, feasts, quizzes, and arts and crafts.
At midday, Dundee Trades Union Council (TUC) is to hold its annual Mayday march and rally. They said that the royal wedding provided “no feelgood factor” for those facing cuts in jobs, services and benefits.
There is expected to be a protest in Edinburgh with anti-monarchists attempting to “turn the Royal Mile into the Republican Mile” from 1130 BST to 1430 BST, and so far more than 800 people have said they will attend.
Glasgow City Council issued a warning for royal party-goers to stay away from Kelvingrove Park after an unofficial “alternative” royal wedding celebration was organised through Facebook and other websites. More than 10,000 people used the social networking site to say they planned to attend the event.
Train operator East Coast said there had been a 50% increase in train bookings between Edinburgh and London for the day before the wedding.
One woman, who was travelling down to London for the day from Scotland, said: “I’ve grown up with Wills and Harry in the news and now he’s got his lucky lady. It’s a lovely romantic story as much as anything else.”
Businesses across Scotland were attempting to throw some fun into the proceedings.
John G Renicks butchers in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, made red, white and blue sausages.
While Scottish brewers Brew Dog made a “royal virility performance” beer, containing herbal viagra.
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