WE’VE all of us been spending too many nights in during lockdown but that hasn’t stopped us getting the message on independence out there, and those efforts were redoubled yesterday with a major digital rally.

Voices for Scotland’s fundraising Big Indy Night In showcased big-hitters from across Scottish society.

Actor Elaine C Smith kicked off the seven-hour interactive event which included lively engagement and entertainment with a rousing call to arms.

She announced: “It feels like a timely thing to do at this point in our indy journey – as more and more people are embracing independence for Scotland then it’s only right that a gathering place – albeit virtual – is there for people to discuss, listen, sing, laugh and enjoy amongst like minds for a few hours.”

The “gathering place” was spread across a main stage where Scotland’s greatest singing voices performed exclusive sets to virtual bars where attendees continued the debates prompted by the day’s panel discussions.

For journalist Lesley Riddoch, seeing the cream of Scottish music, including Eddi Reader, Hue & Cry, Ricky Ross & Lorraine McIntosh and Dougie MacLean, performing for the members again, after the year we’ve all had to live through, was a particular highlight of the day.

She said: “It was great to hear the sound of indy-supporting artists weaving their magic again. We talk and that’s important. But my God, as Celts (and new Scots) who love exploring our cultures, we’ve missed artists giving us a real, live sense of ourselves in 2020 – we’ve missed those glorious re-affirming sights and sounds.”

While Hue and Cry’s Pat Kane believes the forum was the perfect outlet for artists to give further impetus to the growing indy movement.

He said: “We must make the case for indy enjoyable, moving and compelling, as well as nailed-down in terms of stats and policies. The ‘why’ of indy is what artists and writers should be good at. They might forget what we say, but they’ll never forget how we make them feel.”

Crime writer Val McDermid added further gravitas to proceedings with a cri de coeur. “Imagine you’d been living in England this year. Imagine the only government you could look to was Westminster. Now tell me Scotland couldn’t do better for itself.”

With Boris Johnson and his Brexiteers are facing humiliation in their trade talks with Europe, talk around the forum naturally surrounded what an independent Scotland’s future would look like back in Europe.

And novelist Andrew O’Hagan captured the buoyant feeling that independence is in sight.

He said: “The idea that staying in the Union would protect our position in Europe is dead. Westminster has proved itself a disastrous steward of our liberties and our future. And so we arrive at a fresh place: we must ask the Scottish people again, in the light of what we have come to know, and even people who fear the answer must not deny the question, for democracy, at its core, honours the right of citizens not only to make up their minds but to change them. That in fact is the essence of the democratic spirit.”

Founding editor of The National and Sunday National, Richard Walker hailed the event as a resounding success and believes that the attendees will be re-energised for the challenges ahead.

He said: “We’ve not been able to physically meet up for some time but this is the next best thing. We have got to enjoy each other’s company as well as some brilliant music and share big ideas about Scotland’s future as an independent country. It’s been a chance to pull together and help each other to celebrate the unity of our movement.”