Marymass 2025 kicks off with sashing of the royal party

Last year's Captain, Gordon Stoddart, will continue in the role this year, after beating Ronnie Robson in the vote at Irvine Townhouse.

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) His appointment was confirmed to the cheering crowd outside around 9.30pm.

The traditional sashing event saw last year's Marymass Queen and her four Marys hand over the roles to this year's royal party.

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) It was the first event of what promises to be an exciting and busy couple of weeks for the Marymass Queen Elect, Irvine Royal Academy pupil Laicey Dewar, and her Marys, St Matthew's Academy pupils Mia Loudon and Eve McCabe and Greenwood Academy's Miley Smith and Kaitlyn Gilmour.

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) They were joined at the event by last year's Marymass royals - Queen Millie Barnes and her Marys Lauren Wyllie, Hannah Nelson, Autaum Robinson and Rebecca Lusby.

The festival fun will continue tomorrow (Saturday, August 16) with three major events - the Carters’ Fourth Port Parade, the Festival of Light at the Harbourside, and fireworks and shows on the Moor.

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) The Fourth Port Parade will leave Second Avenue (behind Sainsbury’s) at 11am, assembling at 10.45am. The parade is expected to reach the harbourside around 12.15pm.

The parade snakes through Fullarton and Harbourside before ending at Cunninghame House at 1pm.(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography)

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography)

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) (Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography) The festival of light parade that night gives everyone the chance to come and along and help illuminate the town. It will depart Irvine Cross at 9pm.

Then, at 9.45pm on Irvine Moor, the firework display will begin. There will be plenty of food and entertainment, including a fun fair.

The Queen-Elect will be crowned at noon on Marymass Saturday, August 23, followed by one of the biggest parades in Scotland, heading to the Moor, where the fun and games begin.