THOUSANDS of people declared their ongoing support for independence this weekend to mark three years since the 2014 referendum.
Organisers of a Saturday march in Glasgow said an estimated 2,000 people attended.
The National is today publishing an eight-page picture special documenting the event today, on the third anniversary of the landmark vote that saw Yes secure 45 per cent of support to No’s 55 per cent.
The weekend event saw participants march in procession through the city centre.
IN PHOTOS: Thousands march in support of independence in Glasgow
The route was supposed to end at Glasgow Green in the east end in response to stewarding concerns from the council, due to a Yes-themed rally taking part in George Square on the same day.
However, Police Scotland removed a squad van parked at the junction of Argyle Street and Jamaica Street to allow the marchers – many of whom were waving Saltires – to move towards the gathering place, which many have dubbed “Freedom Square”.
The move came after the procession met a small counter-demonstration waving Union flags.
Those behind the march, a group titled Scotland Land Of The Brave Saor Alba?, said the event had gone off peacefully.
In a statement, they added: “Scotland is on the rise and this is only just the beginning.”
The march came just two months after All Under One Banner, which supported Saturday’s procession, gathered about 17,000 people for the biggest event of its kind ever held in the country.
This weekend EU and Catalan flags were seen amongst the saltires and lion rampants as participants showed their support for ongoing membership of the continental bloc and for voters seeking to end constitutional ties with Spain.
Authorities in Madrid are in the midst of a crackdown on Si activists in Catalonia ahead of an independence referendum on October 1.
More than two-thirds of Catalonia’s nearly 950 mayors have vowed to ensure public buildings are open for the vote, which is opposed by Madrid. Those who follow through with the pledge risk arrest, but this weekend more than 700 of the politicians attended a protest in Barcelona.
In Glasgow it was ordinary voters of all ages and backgrounds who turned out. Children were among the crowds, which were led by a young boy playing bagpipes.
A giant white unicorn float was driven through the streets by bicycle power, with Manx and Cornish flags also spotted.
Police Scotland said about 1,500 people had attended the rally in George Square, where speakers and musicians performed.
Meanwhile, across the political divide the Scotland in Union group, which supports the status quo, took to the streets to urge Scots to join its ranks and oppose a second independence referendum.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took the initial steps towards holding such a vote earlier this year, but subsequently put the process on pause pending the outcome of the Brexit vote.
While the Yes side has continued to try to convince those who voted No in 2014 to change their allegiance, Scotland in Union has launched a social media campaign urging those who remain committed to the constitution to state this publicly using the hashtag #wewereright.
IN PHOTOS: Thousands march in support of independence in Glasgow
Yesterday a few such messages had been posted by the group, with one woman identified as Rita pictured in Edinburgh holding a sign that said: “I’m glad we stayed in the UK because there is strength in numbers and our economy would be stronger.”
In another image, a man identified as Billy held a placard reading: “I’m glad we stayed in the UK because I would not like to see a border between our family.”
However, detractors co-opted the hashtag to undercut the campaign by tweeting ironic statements like: “So glad we got to stay in the EU.”
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