THOUSANDS of independence supporters attended a major political rally to continue their fight for Scotland to leave the Union.
Students, couples, teenagers and families with babies and toddlers were among up to 7,000 people who crowded into Glasgow's George Square for the Hope Over Fear event.
The rally, which began at midday and ran until early evening, was aimed at keeping the momentum developed in the Yes movement in the weeks before the referendum on September 18 - when Scotland voted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain in the UK.
The organisers said they wanted to keep the pressure on politicians to bring about more constitutional change and greater social justice.
They expected some 13,000 people to attend. Police estimated between 6,000 to 7,000 people were present in the course of the event.
Actor Martin Compston was among the speakers. To loud cheers, Greenock-born Compston, who gained prominence in Ken Loach's film Sweet Sixteen, said he believed independence would one day be realised.
"Our dream of independence will never die. I will always be a Yes. We are the 45, but one day we will be the majority," he said.
The organisers, including the former Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, wanted the event to be both a family day out as well as a political rally, and many of the children attending with their parents had their faces painted and carried balloons.
Speeches alternated with musical entertainment, including performances from singer songwriter Gerry Cinnamon and local bands The Stumblers and the Trongate Rum Riots.
Jill Gilmour, 39, from Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway, was among those taking part with her son and daughter Archie, five, and Daisy-May, three.
Ms Gilmour, a full-time mother, said: "I came all the way here today because I think it's important to move things forward and see what we can achieve for Scotland."
Stephen O'Neil, 48, a Glasgow-based artist, was also at the rally with members of his family.
He said he was disappointed by the referendum result and was worried by the rise of Ukip, as well as a looming war against the Islamic State. Many of those attending wore kilts and tartan hats, and hundreds waved saltires, lion rampant flags and carried banners.
One banner said: "Don't Blame Me I voted Yes". Another stated: "Scottish n Proud", while a third said: "Frack off Westmonster".During the event Mr Sheridan, who is co-convener of Solidarity Scotland, handed a cheque of £1,000 to Denis Curran, chairman of the foodbank charity Loaves and Fishes.
After the rally Alex Johnstone, a Scottish Conservative MSP, said: "People are more than within their rights to call for the constitutional settlement they want - that's what happens in a democracy.
"But it's also worth remembering that a clear majority voted No, and this issue is now settled.
"There was no conspiracy, no vote-rigging - many of those who peddle these myths would be better served working with others to secure an improved future for Scotland within the UK."
A spokesman for Police Scotland said there was no major trouble at the rally.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article