IT was sun, fun and games for more than 300 youngsters as they were treated to a magical day out in the annual Glasgow Taxi Outing to Troon.
Around 150 cabbies donned fancy dress – including pirate, clown and Scooby Doo costumes – to take children with special needs to the seaside.
A fleet of Hackney cabs decorated with balloons left the West End and the excited youngsters had fun waving to the crowds in Kelvin Way and Sauchiehall Street.
It was the 67th outing for the fund, which this year was awarded an Evening Times Community Champion Award.
Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd and Glasgow's Lord Provost Sadie Docherty waved off the youngsters.
Mrs Docherty said: "I have been Lord Provost only a short time, but I am so proud to be representing the people of Glasgow at events such as this.
"It's fantastic. We certainly got the weather for it."
Michelle Leitch, 37, was taking her son Nathan, 9, who goes to Langlands School, Crookston, on the trip for the sixth year.
Michelle, from Hillington, said: "Nathan has a great time every year. They get to enjoy the taxis, then have a dance and visit the swing park in Troon.
"We have been looking forward to it for weeks."
It was an emotional time for Karen Haining, 38, who had taken daughter Brooke, 9, on the outing.
Brooke, who has a chromosome disorder, had an operation in January to help her walk again.
Karen, from Crookston, said: "We just love the trip. It's our fifth year and it gets better every time.
"Brooke will walk to the beach instead of going in her wheelchair."
It was the second year lawyer Alastair Cameron, 44, from Prestwick, drove to the seaside with the outing.
The 44-year-old, who was dressed as the cartoon dog Scooby Doo, said: "I do this to give something back to the community and it is a great day out.
"It costs nothing to give up my time and I wish more people would do it."
Taxi driver Michael Gaffney, 60, from Rutherglen, said: "It is a pleasure. It is about helping people and it is a real 'feel good' thing for us.
"And we get a fish supper at the end of it in Troon."
Paul Monaghan, 35, from Castlemilk, was dressed as the Pope. He said: "This is my fifth year of doing it and it just gets better and better."
The Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund was set up in 1945.
Sponsors of the trip included Glasgow Taxis Ltd, which has raised £63,000 for the charity, and Celtic Football Club's charity, which donated £7000 to the fund yesterday. The club has contributed £100,000 in 14 years.
Jo Reid, chairwoman of the Fund, said: "We couldn't do this without the taxi drivers so I would like to thank them for making this happen."
rachel.loxton@ heraldandtimes.co.uk