Brian Cox says it's 'time to get our country back' as he kicks off independence march

BRIAN Cox has said it is "time to get our country back" as he kicked off a major independence march. The Scottish acting legend spoke to The National thousands of activists in Edinburgh on Saturday for Believe in Scotland's annual rally. Campaigners gathered on the Royal Mile by Parliament Square shortly before 12pm, before marching towards Calton Hill. Speaking exclusively to The National while on the march, Cox explained why he had turned up to show his support. "There's no other reason to be here on a day like today, because this is a very important day," he said. READ MORE: Watch the Believe in Scotland Edinburgh march and rally live Cox pointed towards the huge crowds behind him, before adding: "You can see - look, so many of them. "It's time we got our country back. We've been ostracised and patronised long enough, and it's time we got our country back. "That's what we're doing, and that's why I'm here. I'm very proud to be here, and especially proud to be with these people." Cox added: "It's so important, we've got to do it this time. No more hanging about - get the ball in the back of the net." The actor is set to address the crowd once the demonstration reaches Calton Hill. Other speakers include First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Greens co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer, broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and lawyer Aamer Anwar. A host of singers and poets are also joining the rally, with folk and Gaelic music performances taking place as well as a reading in Scots. Ahead of the march, The National told how Cox said he said he fully supported John Swinney and would vote SNP in May's Holyrood elections, describing the party as "the only ones with any sense" and wants Scotland to "get back to who we were as a nation". “It’s time that we got back to who we were as a nation, how we led, how we created the modern world, and understand our virtue as Scots,” he said. “We’ve got to be front and forward with our ideas, and at the moment we’re not. At the moment we’re just trying to be careful.”