THE headline speaker at The National's #indyref2020 Rally for Independence took to the stage to huge cheers from the crowd this afternoon. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the event, held in George Square, that an independence Scotland is "within touching distance". 

The SNP leader urged Scots to back her party at the December 12 election, adding that a big win for them would bring independence "even closer still". 

Sturgeon will formally request the power for Holyrood to stage a referendum from Prime Minister Boris Johnson before the end of this year.

A Section 30 order - which the UK Government has so far refused to consider - would mean a legally binding ballot could be held.

Closing out the rally, Sturgeon said: "We can get on with the job that it is all about ... of building that better, more prosperous, fairer, more equal, more outward-looking, more open, more inclusive, more diverse Scotland that all of us believe in our heart is possible. let's win our independence, let's win the Scotland we want to see."

The event also included speeches from Mhairi Black, Maggie Chapman, Valentina Servera Clavell, Patrick Harvie, the Wee Ginger Dug, Janey Godley and many more.