Scottish Independence Supporters Hold Rally One Year After Referendum
Supporters of Scottish independence have gathered for a large rally in Glasgow a year on from the referendum result.
Crowds of people carrying saltires and Yes banners gathered in the city's George Square to hear dozens of speakers and bands at the Hope Over Fear rally.
Organisers said that thousands of people attended the event, which was designed to make a clear statement that our journey to full independence for our nation continues''.
On September 19 last year the final result of the ballot held the previous day was revealed, with voters rejecting independence by a margin of 55% to 45%.
Speculation has been mounting about the possibility of another vote on the issue after a post-referendum surge in support for the SNP and the party's landslide victory in Scotland in May's general election.
Several recent polls have suggested that a majority would vote Yes if another opportunity arose.
But First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon warned supporters there were no shortcuts'' to independence on the anniversary of the poll on Friday.
Speaking in Glasgow, which voted Yes in the referendum, rally organiser and Solidarity co-convener Tommy Sheridan said: It's very important that the Yes family comes together today and announces loud and clear that not only are we still Yes but there's more of Scotland Yes now than there was last year.
It's now not a question of if we become independent, it's when we become independent. We're here to say we're still Yes and we're demanding indyref two.
I think the mandate for the next referendum should be sought next year at the Scottish Parliament elections.
If all of the pro-independence parties put that in their manifesto and they win the majority of the votes then let's have indyref two in 2018.''
Some of those in the crowd cautioned patience over the timing of another referendum.
Robert Boyd, 47, from Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, said a second vote should be held only when the time is right, when Nicola (Sturgeon) says so, and when I think that there's a good chance that we will win it''.
He added: We can't call one too early because if we lose another one that will be it for god knows how long. I don't want to rush it, I want to win the next one.''
Mary Miller, 71, from Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, agreed, saying: We want a second referendum when the time is right, when the Scottish people decide.
There are some people, we feel the same, who feel frustrated and want to do something right away but we'll leave it to the people who know best.''
But Ann Gunn, 70, also from Larkhall, said: I want to see this before I go, in five years probably.''
Gordon Haining, 67, from Auchterarder, Perthshire, said: I want a referendum again tomorrow. I would have it every day until we have 51%.We're wiser now and we will win the next one. If it was tomorrow we would win it.''