Each year, on the last Saturday in April, Aberdeen University Students hold a ragnight torch parade from Marischal College (leaving at 1930 hours) through Union Street and up to Queen's Cross.

The students then light their torches at this halfway point before making the journey back down Union Street then back to Marischall College.

Aberdeen Torcher Parade

The Aberdeen Torcher Parade photograph above shows the giant penguin with Angus the Bull courteously of Aberdeen University.

Route Of The Aberdeen Torcher Carnival Parade

The route of the carnival is from Marischal Street to Upperkirkgate, then Schoolhill, Rosemount Viaduct, Skene Street, Carden Place and then Queens Cross. Then it goes to Albyn Place, Union Street, Broad Street and finally the Gallowgate.

There has been up to 50 torchbearers in the parade.

History Of The Torcher Parade

Aberdeen rag night is so named because in olden day university students would collect old rags and clothes during a rag week to give to the poor people of the parish.

The parade has been held since 1889.

The parade is lead by Angus the bull mascot and the University Rector has the privilege of sitting on Angus - who is made from a gymnasium vaulting horse. Previous Rectors have included Clarissa Dickson Wright (One of the Two Fat Ladies cooking team) and Comedian Jimmy Edwards.

Over 2000 students take part in the torch lit procession and there are often about 40 decorative themed floats.

About 40,000 people turn up to watch and donate money. You can donate money into the buckets that the students carry. Donations go to the Aberdeen Students Charities Campaigns.

Do look out for students who sell the rag magazine - it's full of some great jokes and cartoons (please beware some are awfully smutty and rude!!!).

Themed floats include pipe bands, cheerleading squads, cowboys and indians, Disney characters, cartoon characters and Chinese displays including dragons.

More Scottish customs and traditions.

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The 2008 Aberdeen Torcher Parade was to be held on Saturday 26 April 08. Sadly though the 2008 Torcher parade through Aberdeen Union Street had to be cancelled. Three teenagers were driving recklessly in the area on a motorbike and drove into the Torcher parade crowd and injured 12 people which included five children. The injured were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and treated for a range of injuries such as leg, hand and chest and facial injuries and shock. The three teenagers were apprehended and one was taken to ARI with leg and knee injuries requiring an operation. Two youths appeared in court on the Monday.

The 2007 Aberdeen Torcher Parade was held on Saturday 28 April 2007. Over 1000 students took part. Themed floats and costumed students included 1930s and 1970s themes, Scooby Doo, Alice in Wonderland, Mexicans, Happy Feet, superhoroes such as Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin, Super Girl, Students in kilts, Robin Hood, and other groups such as the students of the Scottish Agricultural College at Thainstone near Inverurie who pulled a tractor and the Aberdeen Cheerleaders too part. Even the fourth Doctor Who (Tom Baker) and his enemy the Dalek made an appearance.

The date of the 2008 Torcher Parade will be announced here soon.

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