WESTMINSTER was sent a clear message over its attempt to undermine Scotland's authority, as thousands turned out for the Hands Off Our Parliament (HOOP) demonstration at Holyrood.

HOOP grew from an original plan of a small-scale show of support for Scottish democracy to a massive day of events, ranging from speeches to a symbolic formation of Saltire shields.

IN PICTURES: Hands Off Our Parliament protest attracts thousands

The Scottish Government has refused to accept Westminster's attempts to take control of policies in certain devolved areas that will return to the UK post-Brexit.

The disagreements over where powers would go looks likely to spark a constitutional crisis for Theresa May's Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's government recently passed a Brexit Continuity Bill, safeguarding Holyrood if a deal cannot be reached on amending the UK's Brexit Bill.

That Bill has been the subject of debate in the House of Lords this week, with unelected peers and Church of England bishops having more say than the SNP, which does not take positions in the Lords.

READ MORE: Archbishop to back power grab on Holyrood

HOOP came as a massive show of support for the Scottish Government's stance on the power grab, and as a warning to Westminster that Scots will not accept attempts to undermine Holyrood's authority.

National columnist Wee Ginger Dug was one of those at the event, and reported that as many as 3000 were in attendance – others have claimed there were as many as 5000.

It far surpassed predictions from the organisers, who said the previous day that they expected around 1500.

READ MORE: We were all at the #HOOP protest – but where was Scotland’s media?

The focal point was a human chain formed around the Scottish Parliament building. The symbolic protest was completed with plenty of people to spare, meaning the chain ran multiple lines deep at certain points.

If you missed the event, you can catch up via independencelive.net, and on their YouTube channel.

Speaking ahead of HOOP, organiser Dave Llewellyn said: “It seems to have caught the imagination of so many people.

“We know of 80-year-olds going to their first ever political demonstration and the good thing is that people of different politics are going because they can all unite over the threat to our parliament.”