GLSAGOW was filled with Saltires on Saturday as hundreds of independence campaigners marched all the way from the city’s west end into the east.

The March for Independence saw around 1000 indy campaigners brave harsh Glasgow weather, with strong winds and horizontal rain at points.

But that failed to dampen the spirits of campaigners, as Chris from Kirkaldy remarked: “We’re no sugar, we’ll no melt.”

After an hour’s delay the sun made an appearance, and protesters made their way from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow Green where they gathered with up to 50,000 climate protesters.

READ MORE: COP26: All the news as independence and climate protests take over Glasgow

Although activists were out in droves for indy, many had a particular focus on the environment – and how it shows the need for independence.

Kenny MacAskill MP was at the front of the All Under One Banner part of the march.

He told The National: “COP26 is taking place, it’s the most important meeting on the planet.

“Scotland is locked out, Ireland is in there. Scotland has nuclear weapons on the Clyde, Ireland is chairing the United Nations security council able to argue for peace.

“It shows why you have to be an independent nation, not a devolved state.

"We have got to deliver independence, not only to play our part in making a safer world tackling climate change, but able to address the inequities that have taken place under a Tory government we've never been elected since before I was born.

“We get the policies of Boris Johnson, not the policies that Scotland needs or wants to tackle climate change.

“Scotland has already been well and truly politically shafted by the Acorn development not being given the go-ahead.

The National:

“That shows that the Tories just have no intention of supporting what's necessary to allow us to transition our oil and gas towards the renewable revolution.

“And that's why we need to be an independent nation.”

And despite a dreich day, MacAskill said it was a “remarkable turnout” with a buoyant crowd.

The National:

Johnny Mackenzie, who was at the march, said he wants an independent Scotland to lead the world on climate change.

“Scotland's economy is too heavily reliant on fossil fuels to them," he said.

"And I think as a group, we'd like to see an independent Scotland divest from fossil fuels and have a just transition so that good workers don't end up in the scrap heap, because it must be centred around human beings, not only for protecting people in the future but people's livelihoods now.”

READ MORE: COP26: Thousands of youngsters march through Glasgow for climate protest

Fellow activist Paul Ingles explained how climate change and independence are related issues.

He said: “With Cambo being imposed on Scotland from the Tory government, that's a self-determination issue - that's a national issue.

"We don't even have the power to say no to new oil fields.

The National:

“We all want climate justice, and power to determine the kind of world we want to live in to make choices about it democratically, equally and freely.

“So I think that's where the independence movement fits into the climate issue.”

The marchers chanted against the UK Government and shared their hopes for a better future in an independent Scotland.

People of all ages attended the peaceful protest – and even dogs too, including Sheldon the Great Independence Dane.

The National:

Jenny Piercing, who was there with her husband Andy, said: “While energy is reserved, Scotland is doing its best making amazing decisions, but we could make so many more decisions if we were funding ourselves and making these decisions for ourselves.”

Andy added: “This is about London having their power over our energy, our resources and our country.”

Many activists expressed their anger at the UK Government after it snubbed Scotland for a major carbon capture project in the north east.

Campaigners also blasted the Prime Minister for jetting off to England just days into COP26 to meet with a climate change sceptic.

The National:

Radical Independence was among the groups at the independence march.

One group member told The National: “I’m here to show my support for self-determination for the country.

“I don’t believe the UK Government has Scotland’s best interest at heart. I dread to think if we didn’t have a Scottish Parliament what would happen.

“Would there be sewage in Loch Lomond?

“The atmosphere is fantastic - it always is. It is always peaceful.”

READ MORE: Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate address George Square climate rally

Scott Bamford, 47, from Clackmannan, agreed: “Independence marchers have always been good-natured, and good-humoured affairs.

“We are here always with a Scotland flag and a smile on our face trying to do our bit.”

The National:

Protesters were also joined by locals who applauded them from shops and Glasgow tenements as they walked into city centre, making their way to Glasgow Green.

Marchers hailed a successful day, with a peaceful, cheerful protest and a solid turnout.