NEXT Saturday, the All Under One Banner national tour of marches and rallies for independence goes to its smallest venue yet – Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute.
With AUOB somewhat preoccupied with internal matters, The National asked one of the indefatigable local groups, Yes Kintyre, who have been organising things at their end of the Mull of Kintyre, to let us know how the preparations were going.
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Yes Kintyre wrote to the Yes DIY hub: “Campbeltown – known as ‘The Wee Toon’ – nestles under Beinn Ghuilean towards the tip of the Kintyre peninsula.
“Home to approximately 5000 people, Campbeltown is perhaps more famously known for its whisky, with upwards of 30 distilleries in its heyday and earning the sobriquet ‘The Whisky Capital of the World’.
“Campbeltown is now one of the six official whisky regions in the country.
“The local Yes Kintyre group are working closely with AUOB to ensure that the rally this Saturday will be a massive success.
“With the Brexit threat to rural industries, particularly farming and tourism, coupled with the hit to public services, now is the time to drive home the message that only the full control offered by independence permits Scotland to take a different path – a path mapped out by the people themselves.
“Yes Kintyre are keen to ensure that this rally celebrates the grassroots nature of the Yes movement, with local speakers and entertainment to keep everyone happy.
“The march will wind through the town culminating in the rally itself on Kinloch Green looking out over Campbeltown Loch.”
Yes Kintyre organiser Ron Wilson told The National: “Campbeltown is a close-knit local community – and a Yes toon – which will extend a generous welcome to all the Yessers making their way from throughout Scotland to our town.
“The rally will make a huge statement about the urgent need to reclaim our country’s independence while at the same time linking this rural area with the entire national movement. It’s going to be immense.
“Campbeltown has a good range of hotels, cafes and pubs in addition to the Machrihanish Holiday Park at Machrihanish, just outside Campbeltown, for campers. On Saturday afternoon, marchers will finish at Kinloch Green where there will be indy-themed stalls for folk to peruse.
“For Yessers staying overnight, Yes Kintyre have arranged an ‘Indy After Party’ with local band The Twisted Melons and friends at the Argyll Arms Hotel in the centre of town. Various local acts will be performing, with an open mic for folk wishing to contribute.”
See the Yes Kintyre Facebook page for further details.
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