TODAY the Dug and his human will be attending the Bannockburn rally.

The human, that’s Paul Kavanagh, will be talking, while the Dug lies on the stage and makes like he’s not remotely bothered by any of the goings on. The Dug has previous for this kind of insouciance. Some months ago we appeared on the main stage of the Usher Hall as part of CommonWeal’s Build event. The Dug went to sleep on the stage, but not before licking his nether regions. If any other indy campaigner did that it would be all over a horrified British nationalist press. Vile cybernat in public pervert contortionist scandal – Sturgeon must condemn!

I had the honour of introducing Alex Salmond during that event, whom we had met briefly in the green room beforehand. The Dug had done very well in the green room, and had successfully cadged every single bit of chicken kebab from the snacks that were on offer. When Alex Salmond entered the room, the Dug naturally went up to him expecting another treat. “Sit!” said Alex Salmond, and the Dug sat obediently and offered a paw. Later when the former first minister went on stage he announced to the audience that he’d told the Dug to sit and the Dug had obeyed with alacrity. “That’s leadership,” he said.

I thought to myself, “Naw. That’s chicken kebabs.”

It is quite possible that if there’s such a thing as reincarnation then the Dug must have been a Lanarkshire cooncillor in a previous incarnation, because he’s highly susceptible to bribery. Most of us want Scottish independence because we dream of a better country. The truth is that the Dug is only in it because he dreams of sausages and doggy chews. He’s cute with it though.

Even though the Dug is likely only to get roused by the prospect of any pies or treats that may be on offer, there’s plenty going on in the independence movement to get excited about. There are indications that recent events in Westminster have only served to fire up the independence movement and to give a boost to the Scottish cause. As a direct consequence of the arrogance of British nationalists, the turnout at the Bannockburn rally is likely to be considerably greater than it otherwise might have been.

It’s not just those of us who have long desired Scottish independence who have been affected by the apparent change in public mood. People whom we’d never have dreamed of are seeing the attractions of independence and have either openly converted to the cause, or have been writing supportive articles in the press instead of their usual attempts at seeking a negative SNPbad spin on every story.

The arguments against independence which were previously employed with such gusto now ring hollow and empty. How can anyone credibly argue now that Scotland’s voice is heard and respected in the Westminster Parliament. That myth was killed and buried by the howling boors of the Tory backbenches. It was ripped up and destroyed by the contempt of a British Government which arrogantly refused any meaningful discussion of Scotland’s concerns about the EU Exit bill. Theresa May scarcely listens to the concerns of the Remainers in her party – Scotland’s concerns don’t even register in her list of priorities.

Today’s march and rally isn’t going to make the Westminster Government concede that Scotland’s MPs have a point. It isn’t going to make them listen to Scotland’s concerns. And the truth is that it’s not likely to convert thousands of undecideds or soft-No voters to the cause of independence. But that’s not the purpose of today’s event.

Today’s event is about the Yes movement demonstrating its own strength and resolve to itself. It’s about empowering and enthusing those who already support independence and giving them the morale boost that they need in order to carry them through into the campaign that lies ahead.

Today’s event is about creating visibility for a movement that is all too often marginalised and ignored by Scotland’s overwhelmingly anti-independence media. That was once the purpose of Gay Pride too. Decades ago, I used to attend Gay Pride marches every year, back when they were demonstrations aiming to change the world, and before they became commercialised and corporate. I stopped attending back in the 1990s, when Pride in London, where I then lived, ceased to be a joyful and anarchic protest, and turned into a celebration of corporate interests.

Nowadays Gay Pride marches are attended by the likes of Ruth Davidson. A march and rally plastered with corporate advertising, and which counts on the support of a Conservative leader, isn’t trying to change the world.

The atmosphere and energy that I remember from the old Gay Pride marches is still alive and kicking, in Scotland’s independence rallies. These are events which do seek to change the world, to make it a better place. They are rallies and marches that preach inclusivity and celebrate diversity. And when you are there, you can taste the change that’s in the air. A better Scotland is coming.

When you attend an independence rally, you feel that you are part of making that change happen. You’re not a subject of history, you’re a part of it. That’s the real message of an independence rally.

You too can be an agent in your own destiny and in Scotland’s story. Let’s change the world.