TODAY’S All Under One Banner march and rally for independence in Aberdeen is set to be the biggest pro-independence event ever seen in the country’s third-largest city, and in no small part the preparations have been greatly assisted by local Yes group Aye Aberdeen.

When AUOB announced late last year that they would be doing a ‘national tour’ of marches and rallies to towns and cities around Scotland, it was emphasised that local Yes groups would be getting involved, and so far Yessers in Glasgow, Galashiels, Oban, Ayr and Campbeltown have shown great enthusiasm as the Yes community has come to their locality.

Now it’s Aberdeen’s turn to host the latest march and rally which will begin today at 1.30pm prompt at Albyn Place and head via Union Street to Castlegate where the rally will take place – the list of speakers and entertainers will be posted on facebook later.

Aye Aberdeen say they and AUOB “are bringing the biggest demonstration in favour of independence that Aberdeen has ever seen to the streets of the Granite City this weekend with 15-20,000 people expected to march for an independent Scotland”.

They added: “Independence supporters from Aberdeen and beyond will gather at Rubislaw Terrace Gardens this Saturday from 12 noon. They will depart Albyn Place at 1.30pm and march the length of Union Street, arriving at the Castlegate for a rally from 2.30-5.00pm. Leading the march will be the Saor Alba Pipe Band. There will be a variety of speakers including business leaders, CND and local activists.

“Saturday evening rounds off the Aberdeen events with a music night held at the Tunnels venue. Bands include the following: Stuart McHardy and Dave Moir, the Graham Brown Band, Fish, Feathers MacTeeth, North 56 and the Saor Alba Pipe Band. Doors open 7:30pm. Entry £5. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite for £5.

Sunday sees Aberdeenshire continuing the theme of independence with their event, “A New Scotland?”. This will be held at the Station Hotel from 1-5pm. Admission is free. Guest speakers will include Lorna Slater, the new Scottish Green Party co-convener and Dr Tim Rideout who will present a talk on “Currency in a new Scotland”. For further information contact Yes2 Stonehaven and Mearns on Facebook.

They also have a sense of humour at Aye Aberdeen saying “forget Boris Johnson or Union Jack-waving unionists – the real danger you could face is Aberdeen’s uber-confident seagulls. They’re no bother until you are out in public with a sandwich – if so then beware. They will swoop. And if you drop anything they’ll be on it. So watch out – as we are sure the Aberdeen gulls must have access to a secret stash of Irn Bru.”