YES Highland, a long-standing umbrella organisation of 13 Yes groups, held its first digital meeting last month – and out of it has come a new initiative.

The organisation has compiled a map showing the Yes groups across the Highlands and Islands and it shows that such groups cover approximately one-third of the land area of Scotland.

Yes Highland hopes that a full-scale map of Scotland showing the location of all the Yes groups can be fashioned. The National has agreed to support the initiative, with the Yes Map being in place later in the year. In the meantime, Yes Highland has written to all the SNP MPs and MSPs in its area.

The group outlined the letter to The National: “At the meeting, it was agreed that there was widespread frustration at the Section 30 impasse and that Yes Highland should formalise our position in a letter to Highland and Islands SNP MSPs and MPs.

“We acknowledge the reality of where Scotland finds itself: that the UK is now heading towards the category of a failed state, with a complete lack of democratic accountability at Westminster and an arrogant disregard for Scotland. This is apparent for all to see.

“In our efforts to avert this very real threat to Scotland, Yes Highland wish to set down their belief that the Scottish Government must get on with playing the part that the independence community expects of them, in obtaining independence for Scotland, and to do so with a far greater sense of urgency.

“It is not enough to show that Westminster holds us in contempt, and it is naive in the extreme to imagine that Mr Johnson will have to concede a referendum on independence for Scotland.

“With the Holyrood election fast approaching, we need clarity on the path to independence. Much has been promised since the heady days of 2014 and all too often small steps forward actually feel more like steps backwards in the SNP’s pursuit of Scottish independence which is, after all, its stated raison d’être.

“We fear that in 2021, with a likely No-Deal Brexit, Westminster will impose ‘British constitutional unity’ upon our sovereign nation. Now is the time to be much more vocal about our primary aim of independence. The Yes movement is essential to the delivery of the independence message on the ground, just as the political strength and leadership of the SNP are crucial to unlocking the constitutional door.

“Our desire to see an independent Scotland unites us. We must work together with a real sense of urgency to gain our independence and not be content to think it will somehow just happen.

“An urgent plan is needed. To this end Yes Highland, of which a substantial number are voting members of the SNP, would welcome your personal perspective as to what represents the realistic and practical way forward to achieving our shared goal of an independent Scotland.”

The letter is signed by Aye2Aye Lochaber, InverYess, Loch Yes North West, Lochaber for Indy, Outer Hebrides for Independence, Yes Badenoch & Strathspey, Yes Caithness, Yes Forres, Yes Moray, Yes Nairn, Yes Ross & Sutherland, Yes Skye & Lochalsh and Yes Speyside Glenlivet.