PICTURES: Inverness sees thousands marching for independence as All Under One Banner rally comes back to Highland Capital
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A PRO-INDEPENDENCE march saw thousands of people gather in the Highland capital at the weekend.
The event organised by All Under One Banner (AUOB) saw participants going through the city centre and culminated in a rally with speakers and entertainment.
Speakers included representatives from InverYess, Scottish Green Party, Alba Party, the Silent Clansman, and XR Highlands and Islands, with entertainment from Kenny Jamieson, Andy Docherty and Gordy Strathdee among others.
AUOB founder, Neil Mackay, said they achieved what they wanted on the day.
He said: “The event went really well and we think had around 3000 people joining the march.
“It was great to be back in the Highlands. The last couple of year have been very different with the pandemic, but you could see how the Highlands ware very eager to march and demonstrate for independence.
“People of Inverness warmly welcomed the march. It was a family friendly, multicultural, vibrant event.”
Another march will be held in Falkirk on September 10 and one more will be organised in Edinburgh on October 1.
Mr Mackay said:”We are aware that these are difficult times for everyone, but this ties in with our call for Scottish independence. “
On the possibility of a referendum in October 2023, he added: “ I don’t agree with strategy of going to the Supreme Court, I don’t think it will lead to a favourable answer and it will knock us back of another year. I’d rather see the government take action ad have the referendum, and then deal with the answer form Westminster.
“We need the SNP to deliver. I think we are very much at a crossroads; they have the goodwill of the wider movement to deliver on a referendum or the election, but if they don’t follow through with the 2024 general election and it’s being denied, this will raise questions on what the SNP is about and what will be really worth voting for in the sense of independence.
“We need to press ahead up here, exercise self-determination and claim our freedom, because it’s not going to be given to us if we don’t.”
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry was among the people taking part and addressed the crowd at the end.
Organisers expected a lower turnout than in previous years due to post-pandemic fears of big gatherings and the ongoing train strikes.
The march started at the Fisherman’s car park near Bught Park and moved towards Ardross Terrace, Ness Bridge, Culduthel Road and finished in Castle Heather Park.
This is the first event organised by AUOB in the Highlands since 2018, which according to the organisers saw ten thousand people taking part.
