ACTIVISTS camped out at Holyrood until Scotland gains independence face the prospect of financial ruin if a court bid to oust them proves successful.
The group, who first appeared on land close to the legislature's main entrance last November, have vowed to fight a legal challenge to their presence by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
While the Parliament has refused a request to say how much it has so far spent on its legal case, which is being fought by the country's largest legal firm on Holyrood's behalf at Scotland's top civil court, it has confirmed that it will seek to recover its costs if it wins.
It leaves the activists, who at a first hearing last month officially responded to the action against them as "the sovereign and indigenous peoples of Scotland", facing the prospect of being persued for tens of thousands of pounds.
In a response to a Freedom of Information request, the Scottish Parliament said it would not reveal the costs to date for commercial reasons and said it was a "matter of regret" that it had been forced to go to court.
It added: "We consider it essential that we protect the rights of all those who wish to use and access Parliament land. Ultimately, the costs involved will depend on a range of factors including whether the respondents continue to defend the case, the number of respondents permitted by the court to take part in the proceedings and the duration of the case.
"Throughout the process the SPCB will continue to be mindful of its duty to use public money prudently and, if successful, the SPCB will seek to recover the cost of the action to minimise any impact on the public purse."
Legal experts said that Holyrood lawyers Brodies LLP, would "not come cheap."
An agreement signed with legal firms in 2011 was estimated to see the SPCB spend £500,000 on external legal services over six years, although at the time it was anticipated the majority of the work would be related to employment and contract law and the total cost could be higher.
The campers, who have brought two caravans, a trailer and tents onto Holyrood's land, were asked by Lord Glennie to provide a list of names and addresses of those who considered themselves "the sovereign and indigenous peoples of Scotland" at the Court of Session.
They were supported by around two dozen people in the public gallery who burst into applause after the judge asked on what grounds the parliament was seeking to remove the peaceful group.
The Parliament has said that as well as the camp depriving others' use of the land, it fears the activists are calling into question the political neutrality of its estate and is concerned the small settlement could grow.
While legal experts have said that the campers may have a legitimate case by citing 'right to roam' legislation and protections to protest and free assembly granted by the European Convention on Human Rights, they have instead declared their intention to deploy unusual legal arguments.
They have said that they intend to represent themselves in court, and revealed that the legal rationale behind their claim is based on 'common law' and rights bestowed on Scots before the Act of Union. The next court date will take place on March 9.
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