A staggering 26,000 people crammed into Perth city centre at the weekend to enjoy the highlight of the city’s Winter Festival.
The event offered an excellent opportunity to showcase what the city has to offer and the spectacle served up proved a huge hit.
Streets were filled with excited crowds, while cafs and restaurants enjoyed brisk trade late into the evening.
Delighted Perth and Kinross Council leader Ian Miller said the weekend had provided “a very valuable boost” to the local economy.
Saturday’s Christmas Lights Switch-On saw diverse entertainment from local groups, street entertainers, and pop bands The Luminites and Eric Faulkner’s Bay City Rollers.
Gallery: Perth Christmas Lights Festival
The day’s events culminated in the switch-on by Provost Liz Grant and TV celebrity Mark Wright and a fireworks display watched by thousands.
There was even a role for newlyweds Sara Cruikshanks, 38, from Scone, and Daniel Jones, 29, from Manchester, following their wedding at the Huntingtower Hotel.
Tay FM DJ Stuart Webster surprised the couple by inviting them on stage as part of a special treat organised by Daniel’s mum, Bev.
In all, it’s estimated that 90,000 people visited Perth on Saturday to enjoy the Fair City’s many attractions, with a peak of 26,000 people between 5pm and 6pm in the city centre a 73% increase on last year.
Councillor Miller warmly welcomed the success of the events.
“We are working hard to encourage interest in Perth as a winter visitor destination and it is clear from the latest footfall figures that what we have to offer to visitors and residents alike appeals to a great many,” he said.
“The crowds of people coming into Perth on Saturday were fantastic and a resounding endorsement of the attractiveness of the Winter Festival programme. Individually, the High Street footfall was up 56% and St John Street by a massive 206%.”
Mr Miller added: “Overall, for the whole of last week, footfall saw a 108% rise when compared to the same period in 2012 an amazing statistic and particularly when the UK average for the same week was minus 20%.
“The level of participation shown by the local community and visitors alike, and the extremely positive response to the celebrations from everyone, is something I warmly welcome.”
The only sour note for some visitors was that just a handful had the chance to meet Mark Wright who proved a huge hit on the night, particularly with younger visitors in person.
Perth and Kinross Council said: “The decision taken to restrict the number of fans to go up and meet him was made on public safety grounds, given the huge numbers of people in the city centre.
“Mark was very disappointed not to be able to meet more people while in Perth.”