As it happened - Glasgow's Olympic parade

Welcome to the live page on the official homecoming parade for Scotland's Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

What's the plan? The parade starts at 16:15 from Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and is expected to reach George Square at about 17:15.

The athletes will travel the route on three 7.5 tonne wheelchair-friendly, flatbed vehicles

The route, about two miles, will go down the west part of Sauchiehall Street, where there is a recommended viewing area. It will also take a trip down Buchanan Street before it gets to George Square in the city centre.

The street parades are not ticketed and entry to George Square, which has a 17,000 capacity, will be on a first-come basis.

At George Square, there will be a stage, large screen, and entertainment. Scots in Team GB and ParalympicsGB will be invited up to the stage to engage with the crowd.

First Minister Alex Salmond will be attending as will Sports Minister Shona Robison, Sportscotland chair Louise Martin, Lord Provost of Glasgow Sadie Docherty, leader of Glasgow City Council Gordon Matheson, and British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan.

A reception hosted by the first minister at the Old Fruitmarket will take place after the George Square event.

Double cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, gold medal rower Katherine Grainger and gold-winning Paralympian cyclist Neil Fachie will attend the parade.

Tennis gold medallist Andy Murray will miss the event but said he was hoping to be in Scotland before the end of next week to thank people for their support.

Well over an hour before the parade begins, people gather at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum. The early bird catches the worm and all that...

Sir Chris Hoy, Britain's most successful Olympian, arrives at the Kelvingrove gallery before the parade

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr: "We're two minutes away from welcoming the Olympians at the Kelvingrove Museum. A few hundred people are cheering and waving Union flags and saltires."

The parade is not expected to reach George Square until at least 17:15 but the crowds are already out in force. The capacity of the square is 17,000.

George Square is the final destination for the parade, where the athletes will take to the stage to take the applause of the crowd

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the parade through Glasgow. You can get in touch in three ways: by using the email form at the bottom of this page, by texting 80295 or, on Twitter, using the hashtag #bbcparade .

It's bright and, well, "fresh" in Glasgow this afternoon...at the moment. Let's hope the rain stays away for the parade. We've had all sorts of weather today in the west of Scotland - lovely sunshine, horrible downpours and wind in such strength that silver medallist sailor Luke Patience might want to take to the Clyde in his 470 Class craft.

Here's a recap of Scotland's Olympic Medallists

1. Daniel Purvis BRONZE Gymnastics
2. Heather Stanning GOLD Rowing, Women's Coxless Pairs
3. Michael Jamieson SILVER Swimming, Men's 200m breastroke
4. Katherine Grainger GOLD Rowing, Double Skulls
5. David Florence SILVER Canoeing, Slalom C2 Event
6. Tim Baillie GOLD Canoeing, Slalom C2 Event
7. Chris Hoy GOLD Cycling, Keirin
8. Chris Hoy GOLD Cycling, Team Sprint
9. Andy Murray GOLD Tennis, Singles
10. Andy Murray SILVER Tennis, Mixed Doubles
11. Scott Brash GOLD Showjumping, Team Jumping
12. Luke Patience SILVER Sailing, 470 Class event
13. Laura Bartlett BRONZE Hockey
14. Emily Maguire BRONZE Hockey

Jonathan the piper at Kelvingrove at the crowd waits for the Olympians

BBC Scotland reporter Sally McNair: "Hundreds of people have gathered outside Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow's west end to pay tribute to the Scots Olympians and Paralympians. The crowd gave a huge cheer to our most successful Olympian Sir Chris Hoy. Forty seven members of Team GB are about to get onto two massive floats which will carry them along to the city centre's George Square."

The Olympians board the flatbed floats in preparation for the start of the parade which should begin in 15 minutes.

Rowing gold medallist Katherine Grainger at the Kelvingrove before the parade

Paralympic Medallists

1. Aileen McGlynn OBE SILVER Cycling, 1km Time Trial
2. Sam Ingram SILVER Judo
3. Neil Fachie GOLD Cycling, 1km Time Trial
4. Stef Reid SILVER Athletics, Long Jump
5. Aileen McGlynn BRONZE Cycling, Individual Pursuit
6. Craig MacLean GOLD Cycling, Individual Sprint (pilot to Anthony Kappes)
7. David Smith GOLD Rowing, Mixed Coxed Four
8. Neil Fachie SILVER Cycling, Individual Sprint
9. James Clegg BRONZE Swimming, 100m Butterfly
10. Libby Clegg SILVER Athletics, 100m
11. Karen Darke SILVER Road Cycling, Individual H 1-2 Time Trial

The athletes are sporting their red, white and blue Team GB tracksuits for the parade. Hmm, hope they're windproof.

George Square is filling up and the parade has not even set off from Kelvingrove yet

BBC Scotland's Laura Maxwell says there is "lovely" atmosphere at the Kelvingrove gallery. She said there were about 750 to 1,000 people there.

Canoeist and double silver Olympic medallist David Florence (@David_Florence): Just setting off on the Glasgow Olympic Parade. pic.twitter.com/JGEq4L8d

The flat-bed vehicles carrying the Olympians and Paralympians are starting to leave Kelvingrove for their two-mile tour through the centre of Glasgow

Sir Chris Hoy on the float with the Olympians

So, does this give you a taste of what Glasgow will be like when it hosts the Commonwealth Games in two years' time? Does it make you want to get fit or encourage your children to take up a particular sport? Why not share your views? Get in touch using the comment form below, by text to 80295 or using the hashtag #bbcparade on Twitter.

BBC Scotland's Laura Bicker says Thousands of people have gathered in George Square in Glasgow to welcome home Scotland's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. A group of children from Oban have grabbed a spot right at the front of the stage. They are wrapped in the Union flag and had pleaded with their parents to allow them off school to see the parade. The crowds cheered and waved as highlights from this summer of sport were played on the big screen.

BBC Scotland's Olympic correspondent Kheredine Idessane has not stopped talking about the London Games and the Paralympics. In fact, our bet is that if we are sitting beside him at the Christmas lunch we're sure to be hearing tales of Michael Jamieson, Neil Fachie et al. You can read Kheredine's thoughts on the summer of sport, from a Scottish perspective, on the BBC Sport website.

BBC Scotland's Laura Bicker says: "The families of the athletes are also in George Square. Jacqueline Jamieson, the mother of silver medallist Michael Jamieson, from Glasgow, said she was so proud and couldn't wait to see the parade. She said it was "amazing" that so many people had turned out to see her son and the other athletes. She said it was a very special occasion."

Team GB member David Florence on the parade route: Inspired to get practising my pipes again! #bagpipes

Olympic track cycling star Sir Chris Hoy, who was this week named as an official ambassador for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has been sharing his thoughts on the Olympics.

Just before the parade began, he said: "It's nice to be part of the team - it's not just me.

"People have said to me, 'I had no interest in the Games and ended up glued to the TV'. It's amazing to see.

"It's not been a London-based games - it's been for the whole of the UK."

And on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, he said: "People are going to be massively behind it. I'm sure people will be surprised just how spectacular these games will be."

Asked what Glasgow could learn from the London Olympics for its staging of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, speaking from George Square, said: "I think London did a lot of things incredibly well. London has set the bar very high indeed and we are well aware of that. Glasgow will have to rise to the challenge and do even better."

First Minister Alex Salmond continued: "Let's remember all of these athletes will be proud to be part of Team Scotland [in 2014]. I congratulate all the athletes who excelled in London."

The parade has reached Charing Cross and is about to cross on Sauchiehall Street

The parade trailer is passing through the west of the city centre on its way to George Square where thousands are waiting to greet the atheletes

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr on the convoy: "Hundreds of people are waving Union flags, saltires and lion rampant flags. Office workers and residents are leaning out of windows and pedestrians are following the convoy along. Signs seen from windows include one saying 'a-Hoy there'."

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr on the convoy: "The Olympian and Paralympian parade is now in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street. Sir Chris Hoy is signing autographs on people and thousands are chanting his name." There's a dilemma - how long would you go without a shower if Sir Chris Hoy signed your arm?

The Olympians and Paralympians at the Kelvingrove before the parade began

The anticipation grows in Glasgow's George Square

Can anyone remember a parade of sporting stars through Glasgow? Did boxer Jim Watt get the treatment when he became world lightweight champion? How about when Partick Thistle won the Scottish League Cup in 1971? Rangers and Celtic have won plenty of trophies, of course, but a parade through the city centre by either team seems unlikely.

Glasgow's main shopping street, Buchanan Street, is ready for the arrival of the Olympians and Paralympians

BBC Scotland's Andrew Kerr says: "The Olympian and Paralympian parade is now in Glasgow's West George Street. Hundred of office workers are cheering on the convoy and using cameraphones to take pictures of them. Several police motor bikes and horses are leading the parade as it approaches the city's George Square."

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games team captured this photo of Sir Chris Hoy, draped in the saltire, on board the convoy.

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr on board the convoy: "As we passed down West George Street the parade cut through a canyon of noise. We have turned down into Glasgow's main shopping thoroughfare, Buchanan Street, where it looks like thousands of people have turned out to greet their Olympic and Paralympic heroes. The parade is then going to wind its way to George Square."

BBC Scotland's Laura Maxwell says the roads are "lined solid" with members of the public coming out to wish them well, waving Union flags and saltires. "There were people hanging out of windows as they came along Sauchiehall Street, it was really exciting."

Strathclyde Police say around 5,000 people are in Glasgow's George Square to welcome the Scottish Olympian and Paralympian parade. They say the route the convoy took from Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery in the west end through Sauchiehall Street to the city centre has been very busy, with onlookers seven deep on the pavements.

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr: "Hundreds of office workers are cheering on the convoy and using camera phones to take pictures of them. Several police motor bikes and horses are leading the parade as it approaches the city's George Square."

BBC Scotland's Laura Maxwell said she thought George Square looked about two-thirds full, and had estimated about 10,000 people there but police say 5,000.

Stuart Davidson was in touch to send us this photo of the convoy passing down busy West George Street.

BBC Scotland's Rhona McLeoad getting ready to greet Scotland's Olympians in Glasgow. pic.twitter.com/Wb6AaPXG

Cyclist Neil Fachie, who was born in Aberdeen and is partially sighted, won silver and gold at the Paralympics.

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr: "The parade is nearing George Square. Drinkers raised their pints at pub doorways as the athletes passed. Hundreds were gathered at the Museum of Modern Art on Queen Street. George Square is a sea of flags and the roar is reaching a crescendo."

There are thousands in George Square as the athletes arrive

BBC Scotland's Kevin Jackson reckons there's around 5000 people in George Square singing and dancing along as The Proclaimers '500 miles' blasts from the stage.

BBC Scotland's Laura Bicker says "First Minister Alex Salmond is booed by crowds in Glasgow as he is interviewed on the stage."

If you could not be in Glasgow today, here's the next best thing - a video clip of the parade.

The athletes are being presented on the stage at George Square.

Canoeist Tim Baillie, who won a gold medal, is followed by David Florence who won silver in the same event, the Slalom C2 event.

First Minister Alex Salmond was asked about Olympic gold medal winner and US Open hero Andy Murray's absence from the parade.

"I think it is for very good reasons. Andy is exhausted after his efforts. He will be back in Scotland very soon, he assures me," said Mr Salmond.

Paralympic cycling champion Neil Fachie is interviewed on the stage at George Square: "[This is] just amazing. Thank you very much, Glasgow. I didn't expect to see so many of you here."

Paralympic bronze medallist Aileen McGlynn, on stage in George Square, says the velodrome in London was so noisy she could not hear the bell for the last lap.

Olympic gold medal showjumper Scott Brash is asked if his achievements have improved his "pulling power", as was his hope: "I don't know. I haven't really tested it out yet." It sounds like he has plenty of fans in George Square.

Joliet Jake (@Jolietjake67): Took the kids down to Kelvingrove Park to see Michael Jamieson @mj88live and the rest of Scottish Olympic medalists #bbcparade.

Women's hockey star Emily Maguire reflects on her medal-winning match at the London Games: "We just knew we were going to win that game. We knew we were going to win a bronze."

Judo player Sam Ingram, who won silver at the Paralympics: "I'm proud to see that everyone has come out to support the athletes. I'd like to thank all the Games-makers and the support."

David Smith, gold medal winner in the mixed coxed four rowing, said: "To come here with this medal and to share it with Glasgow means the world to me."

Luke Patience, silver medallist in the 470 Class sailing: "I thought the London parade was good. You guys are WAY better!"

Biggest cheer of the afternoon goes to the final athlete on the stage, Britain's greatest Olympian Sir Chris Hoy

Sir Chris Hoy tells the crowd: "Thank you so much, everybody, for coming out here today. All the athletes are saying it is way better than anybody could imagine. It means so much to us. Everywhere you go people are buzzing about it still. There is still so much energy and enthusiasm and excitement."

"If I can be, I'll be there," says Sir Chris of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He hopes his body can take the punishment of track cycling for another two years.

Katherine Grainger on stage with her gold medal for rowing in the double sculls

Heather Stanning, who won gold in the women's coxless pairs rowing.

Some advice from Britain's greatest Olympian Sir Chris Hoy: "Get into whatever sport you enjoy. You don't have to do it to become a champion; you can do it to get the fun out of the sport."

Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray, who did not make it to the parade in Glasgow, is set to return to his hometown on Sunday. The newly-crowned US Open champion is expected to arrive in Dunblane in an open-topped bus at 12 noon, and then walk through town towards Dunblane Tennis Club.

All the athletes gathered together on the stage for a final photograph

It's been an amazing afternoon for the Scottish athletes and the crowd in Glasgow. The weather was kind and the atmosphere sensational. In two years' time the city will host the Commonwealth Games. Can they top the scenes thousands have witnessed today? Thanks for your company and all your contributions. Have a great evening.