In pictures: Carnival kicks off Big Burns Supper

A group of people in green alien masks with big bug eyes on them parade through Dumfries town centreStuart Walker

A carnival parade helped to start the Big Burns Supper in Dumfries on Saturday

A colourful carnival through the streets of Dumfries has helped to kick off the annual Big Burns Supper festival.

Large crowds turned out to see the spectacle parade through the heart of the town on Saturday evening.

More than 150 events are planned across more than a fortnight as part of the annual celebration of Scotland's national bard.

The carnival was part of three days of family fun, workshops, outdoor light and projection shows, food market, funfairs, outdoor stages and bar.

A view down Dumfries high street with a colourful parade passing through and big crowds lining the streetsStuart Walker

Big crowds lined the streets of Dumfries to see the parade

A woman with grey hair with a tartan scarf round her neck applies make-up to a participant in the Dumfries street paradeStuart Walker

A great deal of time and effort went into the preparation of the costumes

A cuddly haggis in a kilt leads the Big Burns Supper parade through Dumfries with a statue of Robert Burns in the backgroundStuart Walker

The Big Burns Supper is taking place over more than a fortnight in the town

Three people in red T-shirts with white masked faces and spiky coloured paper for hairStuart Walker

A wide range of groups took part in the carnival

Drummers in bright yellow and orange costumes walk along under a string of lightsStuart Walker

The carnival was part of three days of family fun

People dressed as polar bears walk through Dumfries high streetStuart Walker

Costumes of all kinds were on show

Groups of spectators make their way home following a carnival in Dumfries town centreStuart Walker

Dumfries town centre was packed with people for the carnival on Saturday

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