WATCH: Ready for Proud Ness 2019?

We'll find out later if this year's LGBT-plus march through Inverness will top last year's crowd of 6,000-people.

The family-friendly event Proud Ness returns to the Highland capital today, starting with a procession through the city.

Crowds will gather outside Crown Primary School before 1pm when the long line of people will walk together and later gather at Bught Park.

MARCH ROUTE:

That's where more events will then get underway, including guest speakers and live music on-stage, under a massive weather-proofed tent.

For the kids there'll be a funfair, and an inflatable city.

The day also features the Ruff Ness dog event, and Exclusively Highlands Craft Fair and Traders Village.

EVENT MAP:

Proud Ness is part of the Inverness Gala organised by the Highland Council Events team.

One of the Proud Ness organisers, Melody Legge, told MFR News why she got involved on the planning committee.

She said: "I went to the event last year. It was very family-orientated. I even had my dog there - she's done Chicago Pride, now she's done 'Inverness Pride.'

"Proud Ness is just about love and having a lovely time and being happy, and that's exactly what this day is for, and I know it will be wonderful.

"The Highlands are a beautiful area, so let's just add to it - spreading the diversity and inclusion throughout the Highlands, in order for the LGBT+ community to feel safe and happy, for those who live here, those who want to move here, and for the visitors who come from around the world."

WATCH: were you caught on camera last year?

Last year, Proud Ness 2018 went ahead after fewer than 1,000-people signed an anti-LGBT campaigner's petition to ban the event from taking place.

MFR's exclusive broadcast interview with Donald Morrison went viral after our North of Scotland correspondent challenged the protester on his views.

The exchange which was widely-watched across social media sparked counter petitions which attracted ten-times the support given to Donald Morrison.

Our senior reporter Bryan Rutherford was also nominated in the journalist category at the Proud Scotland Awards earlier this year in Glasgow: