AN estimated 7000 people turned out for a “big party” in Oban yesterday for another successful All Under One Banner (AUOB) independence march and rally.

Yes groups massed in Argyll for AUOB’s second march this month following its first-ever Borders event in Galashiels.

March organiser Fiona Cameron said the day was a success despite early fears about the weather.

“It was horrendous when we started, and we all got soaked at first,” she told the Sunday National. “But it dried up and the sun came out.

‘‘It seemed like every man, woman, child and dog were there, and the atmosphere was like a big party.”

The National: Photograph: Colin MearnsPhotograph: Colin Mearns

SNP MP Brendan O’Hara and local Yes activist Fiona Ferris were among those to address the crowds, while bands and musicians also played.

Ferris launched The Bluebells Still Will Sweetly Bloom, which she described as the “unofficial anthem” for the Yes movement.

The march was AUOB’s third this year after the Galashiels event and another in Glasgow in May, when an estimated 100,000 people took part.

Active pro-independence groups in Oban made the most of the event on their doorstep and pitched stalls at the rally.

Yes Stones, a local group which is the brainchild of Pitlochry sculptor Alison Rollo, were in attendance too, with marchers encouraged to paint their own “Yes stone”.

The National:

AUOB said on social media that the correct saltire flag was hung over the Oban council buildings ahead of the event.

A Ceileidh for Independence was also organised by Oban Grassroots and took place after the rally.

Cameron said: “Today’s march and rally went fantastically well, with at least 7000 participants demonstrating at the gateway to the isles on this historic day.

Scotland’s independence day is fast approaching as the people have awoken to the realisation that our future is in our hands, and our hands alone.”

She added: “We will continue to exercise our authority at every AUOB demonstration and until indyref2, where we will win a Yes majority.”

The next AUOB independence march and rally will be held in Ayr on July 6.