SOMETHING is happening. Slowly but surely the appetite for Scottish independence is gaining ground all over the country.

In truth, the momentum has been increasing throughout last summer. Independence marches have been attracting more and more people.

Even outside our cities, in towns like Ayr and Campbeltown, the marches organised by All Under One Banner have been attracting more people than would normally have been expected.

This culminated recently in a massive turn-out in Edinburgh. Some estimates put the number taking part as higher than 200,000, although this was disputed, mainly by Unionists keen to downplay support for a cause they oppose.

READ MORE: The National is hosting an indyref2 rally – and Nicola Sturgeon is speaking

Whatever the figure, it cannot be disputed that the cause of independence can attract supporters out on to our streets in significant and increasing numbers.

It is against this background that The National and Sunday National decided to enter the fray with our rally #indyref2020 in Glasgow’s George Square on Saturday.

We’re delighted that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has agreed to be our key speaker. It will be the first independence rally she has addressed since becoming First Minister and, as the rally’s title suggests, the urgent need to hold an independence referendum in 2020 will inspire her message at the event.

Click here for the Facebook event for The National's #indyref2020 Rally For Independence

Even her harshest critics would find it hard to deny that she has played a blinder since the EU referendum result, disastrous to the UK but with Scotland strongly and proudly in favour of remaining in the EU. While Westminster minsters have pushed the country into indecision, paralysis and chaos, the SNP have stuck to a consistent line: Scotland voted to stay in Europe and that decision should be recognised in a way that reflects our views.

Of course, critics have accused the party of concentrating on the independence question, but the truth is very different. Time and time again the SNP and their Westminster group have put their desire for independence below their campaign to protect the whole of the UK from the disastrous consequences of Brexit.

While Boris Johnson has threatened to defy the law and indulged in the childish “three letters” fiasco last Saturday and Jeremy Corbyn has flip-flopped from one incomprehensible position on Brexit to another, Nicola Sturgeon and SNP MPs have been the only adults in the room.

Of course, their determination to stick to a responsible approach has won few plaudits from the political opponents whose nonsensical behaviour has dragged Britain’s international reputation into the gutter.

As the situation continues to become mired in uncertainty, we look likely to be faced with a General Election, if not before the end of the year then certainly in the early months of 2020.

Whatever the outcome of Westminster’s deliberations it is now the time to take the necessary steps to secure Scotland’s future by putting the option of independence firmly on the table.

The case for independence will wash away an opposition whose dire warnings of economic collapse after independence and empty promises of extra powers and status for Scotland will have been shown to be false.

We hope the attendance at our rally on Saturday will back the First Minister’s determination to hold #indyref2020 with solid evidence of the strength of Scotland’s voice and the passion of our commitment to taking charge of our own future.

If we do that, and if we help start the campaign which leads to a Yes vote in the referendum we seek, it will be the proudest day in the newspaper’s life. We know that you will help us in that ambition.