Thousands march for Scottish independence in major Edinburgh rally

THOUSANDS have turned out to take part in a major Scottish independence march and rally in Edinburgh. Activists from across the country headed to the capital to be part of the annual Believe in Scotland march and rally , which took place on Saturday. Campaigners gathered on the Royal Mile by Parliament Square shortly before 12pm, where they then marched towards Calton Hill. Among the speakers were First Minister John Swinney , actor Brian Cox , broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and Scottish Greens co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer . A host of singers and poets also joined the rally, with folk and Gaelic music performances taking place as well as a reading in Scots. READ MORE: See all the pictures from today's major Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh Addressing the crowd, Cox admitted that while he had joined the independence movement in his "later life", he felt passionately that Scotland is "free". "It's just amazing to me to see you all here and to know that we all share the passion," he said. "And it's not about parties. It's about people who want a free Scotland. And that's what we have to get. "So get out there, get your neighbours and say, 'Get out voting and make this country, for fuck's sake, free'." 'Let's make our country for f***'s sake free' 👀 Brian Cox addresses a major Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh pic.twitter.com/txpubV1u57— The National (@ScotNational) March 28, 2026 Meanwhile, Riddoch told the crowd: "If you think of the things that we have actually just done without thinking about it too much, we have rejected every bit of what Westminster has seen as okay. READ MORE: Man airlifted to hospital after 'serious' crash on major road "Everything that's top down, that's elitist, that tries to turn person against person, neighbour against neighbour, other foreigners - we've held against that." She added: "And we should remember this, because that's becoming independent from a British mindset we reject." While on the march, Swinney told The National that "this is a day for Scotland's voice to be heard". He added: "This has to be the start of Scotland's voice being heard throughout this election campaign, culminating in us having the political will and power to make sure Scotland's future is in Scotland's hands." And Scottish Greens co-leaders Mackay and Greer spoke to The National after the demonstration, saying they attended "to continue that fight for an independent Scotland". READ MORE: Question Time intervenes AGAIN amid row over BBC panel Mackay said: "Independence shouldn't be the end of the road. We need to make sure that before and after, we build a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland." Greer added: "This isn't about just building another Westminster in Edinburgh, it's about this country realising its full potential. "On May 7, we have the opportunity to deliver an independence super-majority in our parliament, and an opportunity to maximise the limited powers we've already got, to prove to people that Scottish self-government works. "The more good that we do, the more we can increase public support for Scotland's cause."