ALL Under One Banner and local Yes groups in Aberdeen are continuing to prepare for next Saturday’s march and rally for independence in the city.
As we report on page three of today’s paper, local police have recommended to the City of Aberdeen Council that the event be subject to a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, but AUOB say they will proceed without one.
In which case, the route of the march will be right through the city centre from Albyn Place via Union Street to Castlegate where the rally will take place.
It is the first time AUOB has held a march in Aberdeen, the largest conurbation in Scotland in which they have not done so to date.
Estimates of the likely attendance vary between 10,000 and 20,000. It is estimated the march will take an hour, with two hours set aside for the rally in Castlegate where speakers and musicians will perform. AUOB said: “It is onwards and upwards for the AUOB team as we busily gear up for the March for Independence in Aberdeen when the independence movement will descend upon the Granite City (the third largest city in Scotland) with an estimated attendance of 20,000 participants in what will be the biggest pro-independence demonstration in the history of north-east Scotland.
“At the end of the march at Castlegate, we are hosting a rally with political speakers and performers, which will be followed closely by an after party being organised by the local group Aye Aberdeen running from 7pm-1am.
“These are very exciting times for Scotland and we can’t wait to see the vocal majority take to the streets of Aberdeen with Saltires rampant in just over a week’s time.”
AUOB and Aye Aberdeen have asked those wishing to participate to gather early, with the march leaving Albyn Place at 1.30pm prompt.
The local group said: “Aye Aberdeen will be supporting AUOB to help make this the biggest pro-independence demonstration the north-east of Scotland has ever seen.
“Everyone is welcome to take part, no ticket required for the march or the rally. Just turn up. Bring your flags, banners, pipes & drums.”
At the after party, Aye Aberdeen will present an evening of entertainment to round off the day’s events.
Music will be provided by North 56, Stuart McHardy & Dave Moir, The Graham Brown Band, Fish Feathers MacTeeth (Sandy Mathers) Wayne Martin, Jim Rodden & Charlie Wood and Saor Alba Pipe Band
The venue is The Tunnels at Carnegie’s Brae in Aberdeen, with doors open at 7.30pm. Entry is £5.
It is already clear that independence supporters are coming from all over Scotland to march in Aberdeen.
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