THOUSANDS of schoolchildren across Scotland have taken part in a day of strikes to demand urgent action to tackle climate change.
Events were held outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and at George Square in Glasgow.
Protests also took place in Aberdeen, Fort William, Skelmorlie, Aboyne, Fort William, Peebles, Nairn, Stirling and Ullapool.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie told crowds in George Square, Glasgow, that it is vital they keep up the pressure on those in power.
"There's huge sense of optimism right now, inspired by this global movement, that we can finally deliver the decisive action to reduce emissions we should have had years ago when Scotland first passed climate legislation," he said.
"But we need to resist the instinct from corporations and others who've created the crisis to shift responsibility for change back onto individual lifestyles.
"We need full system-level change and we need it urgently. That's why this movement is so vital and why it must keep going."
Holly Gillibrand, 13, from Fort William said: "I am too young to vote and we can't wait for people my age to come into power.
"That's why we need to strike to make our voices heard."
Neelu Saraswatibhatla, 17, from Edinburgh, said: "Business as usual will result in climate destruction and disruption is necessary in order to force governments to take urgent action as the alternative is death."
Evie Hylands, 15, from Glasgow, said: "This protest symbolises something greater than just a strike.
"It gives a perfect depiction of the anger of the youth, who will be most affected by the fall of mother nature, yet we always seem to be the ones whose opinions are disregarded.
"The youth is now speaking up now so hear us out. We want to save our planet."
At the SNP Conference last month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared a "climate emergency", noting she had been inspired by demonstrating pupils.
And earlier this month, the Scottish Government agreed to set a target of net-zero emissions by 2045 – an aim described by experts as the "most ambitious in the world".
It followed recommendations set out by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) that Scotland meet the target five years ahead of the UK in 2050.
Glasgow and Edinburgh have also both outlined their aims to cut greenhouse emissions and to become the UK's first "net zero" city.
The climate strikes by pupils were started in August 2018 by the Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg and have since been mirrored across the world.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here