Public procession

Any moving event held in a public place anywhere in Scotland can be considered either as a parade or a procession.

Applying for a notice of proposal

Providing us with early notification of your intention to hold a procession or parade allows us to consult with the appropriate organisation and consider any arrangements that may need to be put in place to ensure the safe passage of your event.

If you wish to hold a public procession, march, parade or demonstration you should notify the Council at least 28 days before the event, giving details of the date, time, route and the estimated number of participants.  Complete the following forms and send to Perth & Kinross Council, Licensing Department - Legal Services,  Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth,  PH1 5GD or email civiclicensing@pkc.gov.uk.

1. Complete a notice of proposal to hold a public procession form (PDF) [44KB] (opens new window)
2. Include a completed  proposed public procession risk assessment (PDF) [51KB]

You must also agree and adhere to the public processions  code of conduct (PDF) [33KB] .

It is advisable that you also make contact with the following to discuss your proposals and for assistance with your plans:

• The Divisional Co-ordination Unit, Police Scotland (Telephone 101)
• The Environment Service (Traffic Services) - Telephone 01738 477238 or email roadsnetworkmanagement@pkc.gov.uk.

Related notes

• You are responsible for meeting the cost of a Road Order if it is necessary to close a public road for your event.

Viewing a list of public processions

To ensure that communities are aware of public processions, marches and parades in this area, all submitted notifications are published online.

Commenting on a planned procession

If you wish to comment on a procession which is planned, you can do so in writing to Perth & Kinross Council, Licensing Department - Legal Services,  Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth,  PH1 5GD or by e-mailing civiclicensing@pkc.gov.uk before the last date specified for comment.

The European Convention of Human Rights gives a 'right to freedom of peaceful assembly', and the Council has a positive obligation to protect that right. However that right can be restricted, for example to protect public safety or prevent disorder. The Council cannot prohibit a procession simply because some people may be offended by it.

The issues we will consider are:

• the likely effect of the holding of the procession in relation to:
• public safety;
• public order;
• damage to property;
• disruption of the life of the community

We will also consider where the organiser has previously held a procession in our area (or the people likely to take part in the procession took part in a previous procession), whether the procession took place lawfully and in accordance with any conditions imposed on it.