Independence Day

This little guy was pretty popular with photographers at the traditional Norwegian Constitution Day parade in Edinburgh this afternoon. There were a few hundred Norwegians out on the streets of central Edinburgh to celebrate their National Day. May 17 marks the date of Norwegian independence in 1814 and is celebrated by Norwegians all over the world. In Edinburgh today they gathered, many in traditional costume and waving flags, in Parliament Square before processing down The Mound and into Princes Street Gardens, where the formal parts of the day, including a rousing singing of the Norwegian national anthem, took place around the Norway stone. Edinburgh has a strong Norwegian community, with many students and young people out celebrating in the sunshine.