POLICE Scotland told The National there were about 13,000 marchers on the rally for independence that snaked through Glasgow on Saturday.

All Under One Banner, which organised the march, said the figure was closer to 25,000. Whatever the real number, it was many more than had been expected.

Busloads of activists and independence supporters came from all over Scotland to take part.

“It shows that there’s more of an appetite for independence than Theresa May and Ruth Davidson say there is,” said marcher Dave Blackburn.

“Most people were surprised at the size of the turnout. I certainly was. I worried that people might have been a bit jaded. The atmosphere was great, very optimistic.”

The crowd started off in Kelvingrove Park in the west end, before making their way through the city centre.

Organisers said that at one point the march was three miles long. It took longer than estimated for everyone to arrive at Glasgow Green, pushing back the speeches by about an hour.

It had been a glorious morning, and only after the thousands of independence supporters were at Glasgow Green did the thunder start.

The heavens then opened and many took that opportunity to leave, but plenty more stayed.

A counter protest tried to establish itself on George Square, with a handful of pro-union supporters holding Union Flags. There were some strong language exchanged, and what seemed to be a brief skirmish, quickly and easily dealt with by police.

That so many turned out was in spite of a number of difficulties in the run-up to the march, for which All Under One Banner had submitted an application long before Prime Minister Theresa May announced the snap General Election.

There was a long-running battle with the council over stewarding, and fractious relationships between some of the organisations working behind the scenes to make the march happen.

There was also criticism of the march from some SNP politicians.

Stewart McDonald, who is seeking re-election in Glasgow South for the party, tweeted: “If you’re an SNP member please use your time to support your local candidates in the constituency. Marching won’t win us any votes.”

There were still more than a few SNP flags and badges on the march, and MSP Sandra White was among those taking part.

One SNP activist, who asked not be named, was wearing a hi-viz jacket with the party’s logo on it. He told The National it was important for him to attend. “I had to be here," he said, "so they know we’re not going away."

“I’ll be out delivering leaflets for [SNP Glasgow North candidate] Patrick Grady later this afternoon."

Neil McKay of All Under One Banner paid tribute to those who had taken part, saying: “I am officially claiming we pulled off the Biggest March in Scotland."