IN the days after the 2014 independence referendum, there was understandably a sense of deflation among much of the Yes movement.
Five years on, things could not be more different.
The pledges of Better Together have been shattered, Westminster is in chaos and pro-indy campaigners are resurgent.
And so today, on the five-year anniversary of the referendum, it is hardly surprising that those reflecting on the vote are doing so with a sense of pride and optimism.
We brought together key pundits, writers and politicians from Yes movement to catalogue their recollections in our souvenir Summer of 2014 magazine (available in our online store at thenational.scot/shop).
Many indy supporters have also shared their recollections online. Here are 23 of the best tweets.
1. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Incidentally, if anti independence campaigners believed the findings of the poll they have published today, they’d be clamouring for #indyref2 - but they don’t, which is why they are spending so much time trying to either block it or rig the question.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 18, 2019
2. MSP Joan McAlpine
This is what Scots were told five years ago as they went to the polls to choose their country’s future.. They were told lies. Never forget. #IndyRef #ScotRef https://t.co/gFzkogcJQU
— Joan McAlpine (@JoanMcAlpine) September 18, 2019
3. Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack
Five years have flown by! #BuChòirFhathast pic.twitter.com/HuKIweW5to
— Arthur Cormack (@artmaccarmaig) September 17, 2019
4. MP Marion Fellows
5 years ago I voted YES for my granddaughter's future. I now have 4 lovely granddaughters. I am truly convinced that their very best future will be in an Independent Scotland. #AlwaysYes
— Marion Fellows MP (@marionfellows) September 18, 2019
5. Yes Scotland
🤷♂️ In 2014, Scotland was promised the 'best of both worlds' whilst being an 'equal partner' within the union.
— Yes (@YesScot) June 25, 2019
🙄 Well, it's not quite worked out like that.
🔍 Here's our Top Ten Better Together Claims Debunked.
❓ What's yours? pic.twitter.com/pMjz4RzB36
6. MSP Angela Constance
Much has changed in 5 years but we’re still #Yes pic.twitter.com/j8jFlN9UOZ
— Angela Constance (@AConstanceSNP) September 18, 2019
7. Former No supporter
#IndyRef five years on? Still Green, #StillYes, still #GreenYes.
— Lennie (@drgs100) September 18, 2019
I was a No voter up until the last week of the campaign but I heard nothing good from them, no plan to reform our decrepit state, no plans to give people power over their lives.
8. Thorniewood Council candidate Eve Cunningham
5 years ago today was the first time I ever voted. I would never have thought that vote & result and everything that happened after would have led to me being where I am today. I am beyond grateful for the journey I’ve been on & everything I’ve learned. 💛 1/?
— Eve Cunnington - SNP Candidate for Thorniewood (@evecunnington) September 18, 2019
9. Sunday National columnist Suzanne McLaughlin
So proud that I did this. #stillyes pic.twitter.com/rFMdlYOkxA
— Suzanne McLaughlin (@Suzemclaughlin) September 18, 2019
10. SNP campaigner Laura Mitchell
5 years on just imagine the very different path Scotland could be on today if we’d grabbed the opportunity of Yes.
— Laura Mitchell (@MorayLaura) September 18, 2019
The case for independence is stronger than ever. It’s coming. #StillYes pic.twitter.com/f1fOXUDgGv
11. Green co-leader Lorna Slater
In a Green Independent #Scotland we'll export renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. #GreenYes #StillYes #ScotRef #indyref2 pic.twitter.com/NmDqxNY6um
— Lorna Slater (@lornagreens) September 18, 2019
12. MSP Christina McKelvie
5 years, so much has changed and every single vow given by the no campaign has disappeared. We are a very different place now Scotland. We see the disgraceful UKG for what it is.
— Christina McKelvie (@ChristinaSNP) September 18, 2019
We will see our Nation independent 🏴 #StillYes #YouYesYet https://t.co/QeI5Y4BTPf
13. Common Weal committee member Catriona MacDonald
Dream team alert: on this day in 2014, I took my wee brother to vote for the first time. Five years later, we're #StillYes & featured in today's @ScotNational (photo his, words mine)! 🏴💕 pic.twitter.com/V1ZpAXVxmx
— Catriona MacDonald (@prawnjolras) September 18, 2019
14. Councillor Michael Cullen
Five years ago today I was co-ordinating @YesScotland polling day campaign for Glasgow Anniesland! What an amazing day excellent volunteers all working hard for a different Scotland! While Scotland voted No we must always remember both Glasgow & our Community voted YES. #StillYes pic.twitter.com/tLmtjVDWfW
— Cllr Michael Cullen (@MichaelSNP13) September 18, 2019
15. Councillor Rhiannon Spear
Waking up, channeling the hope + endless possibilities of an independent Scotland.
— Rhiannon Spear (@RhiannonV) September 18, 2019
In 2019 after 5 years of harsh Tory austerity, the erosion of UK democracy + of course Brexit independence is a necessity.#YouYesYet #StillYes #IndyRef2 #IndyRef pic.twitter.com/VqfqmvswPg
16. MSP Gillian Martin
#stillyes #itscominyet #IndependenceDay (and the wee Yesser with me in the photo is now a voter..!) pic.twitter.com/jnXLuGDlFo
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) September 17, 2019
17. MP Alison Thewliss
We were so proud to vote yes on 18th September 2014, to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.
— Alison Thewliss (@alisonthewliss) September 18, 2019
Looking back at this photo though, you’ve got to feel baby Kirsty could see how the next five years of this chaotic UK Government would pan out... #StillYes #indyref #Brexit pic.twitter.com/7brcdXSffb
18. Councillor Mhairi Hunter
Five years ago today @Belic and I were getting ready to send our final canvass teams out. We had started our Yes campaign in Toryglen and that's where we finished. What started out solid No ended up 60pc YES. Take a bow everyone who played their part in that. #StillYes. https://t.co/GQFyLCwBtW
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) September 17, 2019
19. Mental health policy officer Toni Giugliano
Five years ago I walked out of Yes HQ for the last time, with a clipboard in my hand, knowing that we had built the most inclusive, broad-based movement we could have hoped for.
— Toni Giugliano (@ToniGiugliano) September 18, 2019
Still living in hope that a better Scotland is possible. #StillYes pic.twitter.com/jpNYI6hats
20. Marie Penman
Hard to believe it's been five years to the day since Scotland got the chance to change its future forever. What a great campaign that was - such hope, such optimism, such passion! - but ultimately, such a missed opportunity. Here's to next time. #StillYes pic.twitter.com/ZssIjC2weP
— Marie Penman (@indyforfife) September 18, 2019
21. Social enterprise founder Robbie Norval
On this day 5 years ago I proudly voted yes and would do so again in a heartbeat, but hopefully this time the dogs will manage to form an exclamation mark ;)! #StillYes #indyref2 pic.twitter.com/qAWY5KqzEW
— ayrshire_rab (@ayrshirerab) September 18, 2019
22. James Melville
A majority of people across the UK support the idea of a second Scottish independence referendum, a poll has found.
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) September 18, 2019
Circumstances have changed since the referendum in 2014. Brexit is not the will of the Scottish people. #StillYes #indyref2 pic.twitter.com/s2sDtTgrz5
23. Stewart Kirkpatrick
#stillYes #indyref2 #ScotlandinEurope pic.twitter.com/mSoQ89EcA6
— Stewart Kirkpatrick (@calgacus) September 18, 2019
As ever, the Scottish Tories were out of touch.
Happy #UnionDay! 5 years ago today, Scotland voted - in a once-in-a-lifetime event - to affirm our part in the family of nations that is the UK. 5 years on, our Union is as strong as ever. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/4mrZQwBHva
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 18, 2019
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here