More than 1,000 serving military personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet and youth organisations are set to parade through Aberdeen city centre to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.
Members of the public are encouraged to watch the 2026 parade, which will include local pipe bands and vintage military vehicles.
The parade will start at Albyn Place at 11am and go along Union Street, Union Terrace, Schoolhill, Upperkirkgate and Broad Street, finishing at the Castlegate.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, in his role as Lord-Lieutenant will take the salute outside Marischal College in front of the City’s official flagpole on Broad Street.
The Lord Provost said: “Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity for us to come together as a city to recognise the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of the men and women who serve, and who have served, in our Armed Forces.
“We are proud in Aberdeen to have such a strong and enduring connection with our Armed Forces community. I would encourage residents and visitors alike to come along and show their support as the parade makes its way through the city centre. It promises to be a memorable and fitting tribute to those who protect our freedoms.”
Details including a map of the parade route can be found on the website: Armed Forces Day 2026
In the interest of public safety, the following temporary road restrictions will be in place:
From 6.00pm on Friday 26 June until 12noon on Saturday 27 June 2026
There will be a suspension of parking on:
- Albyn Place between Albyn Grove and Rubislaw Place.
- Schoolhill in its entirety
- Pocket Park Schoolhill in its entirety
- Union Terrace in its entirety
- Upperkirkgate in its entirety
- Wellington Place between Crown Street and South College Street - This is to accommodate the bus diversion route.
From 10:00am on Saturday 27 June until 1.00pm on Saturday 27 June 2026
Waiting or parking will not be permitted, except for taxis in designated taxi ranks at:
- The west side of Chapel Street, north of the junction with Thistle Street for 53 metres or thereby. This area is to provide a temporary Taxi Rank for this period.
From 9:00am on Saturday 27 June until 12:30pm on Saturday 27 June 2026
No driving will be permitted on the following roads:
- Albyn Place from Albyn Grove to Alford Place
- Alford Place from Albyn Place to Union Street
- Rubislaw Place from Albyn Place to Rubislaw Terrace
- Victoria Street from Alford Place to Thistle Place
From 10:45am on Saturday 27 June until 12:30pm on Saturday 27 June 2026
No driving will be permitted on the following roads:
In Case You Missed it:
- Union Street from Alford Place to Union Terrace
- Holburn Street from Alford Place to Union Grove
- Chapel Street from Union Street to Thistle Street
- Bon Accord St from Langstane Place to Union Street
- Union Row from Union Wynd to Union Street
- Crown Street from Windmill Brae to Union Street
- Union Terrace from Union Street to Rosemount Viaduct
- Rosemount Viaduct from Skene Street to Blackfriars Street
- Blackfriars Street from St Andrew Street to Schoolhill
- St Andrew Street from Blackfriars Street to Charlotte Street
- Belmont Street from Gaelic Lane to Schoolhill
- Back Wynd from Little Belmont Street to Schoolhill
- Upperkirkgate from Broad Street to Schoolhill
- Schoolhill from Upperkirkgate to Blackfriars Street
- Gallowgate from Little John Street to Upperkirkgate
- Broad Street from Upperkirkgate to Union Street
- Union Street from Broad Street to Castle Street
- King Street from Castle Street to West North Street
- Castle Street in its entirety
Taxi Ranks
Dee Street, Back Wynd, Queen Street & Exchequer Row taxi ranks will be impacted by these road closures between 10.45 am until 12.30 noon on Saturday 27 June 2026.
Chapel Street – This rank will be relocated on Chapel Street to outside Holiday Inn Express facing away from Union Street. Access for this rank will be from Thistle Street only. Waiting will be for Taxis only.
