FOLLOWING Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling, Scots across the country took to the streets to protest the ruling which said the Scottish Parliament does not have the competence to legislate for an independence referendum without Westminster’s consent.

From Glasgow to Inverness, a total of 15 rallies were organised across Scotland.

In Edinburgh, Nicola Sturgeon addressed the crowd which had gathered outside the Scottish Parliament.

The National: Protesters took to the streets following the rulingProtesters took to the streets following the ruling (Image: PA)

She told those attending that the UK "is not a voluntary Union of nations". 

It remains to be seen what the next steps are in the push for indyref2 although a new poll has found that half of Scots would vote for the SNP at the next General Election if doing so meant leaving the Union. 

Another seven rallies in Europe showcased their support for independence. 

The National: Plenty of people came out to protest the ruling Plenty of people came out to protest the ruling

Sturgeon also told the crowd in Edinburgh that the independence movement has now become "Scotland's democracy movement". 

The National: A protester holds a sign which says we have the right to democracyA protester holds a sign which says we have the right to democracy (Image: PA)

 

The National: One rally took place in the capitalOne rally took place in the capital (Image: PA)

The First Minister said: "It has been clarified - something many of us suspected but hoped was not the case. But it has been clarified today that the United Kingdom is not a voluntary partnership of nations.

“Any partnership in any walk of life that requires one party to seek the consent of another is not voluntary; it is not a partnership at all."

The National: Yes supporters want their voice to be heardYes supporters want their voice to be heard

Below are a selection of images from other rallies across Scotland.

Aberdeen

The National: People in Aberdeen went out to protest against the rulingPeople in Aberdeen went out to protest against the ruling (Image: AIM)

The National: Yes campaigners in Aberdeen wanted to make their voices heard on yesterday's rulingYes campaigners in Aberdeen wanted to make their voices heard on yesterday's ruling (Image: AIM)

Fort William

The National: Protesters in Fort William held a sign which said Westminster JailProtesters in Fort William held a sign which said Westminster Jail (Image: Yes Lochaber)

The National: Around 100 people turned out for the demonstration in Fort WilliamAround 100 people turned out for the demonstration in Fort William (Image: Yes Lochaber)

The National has exclusive analysis on yesterday’s ruling from legal expert Andrew Tickell who writes that there is no magic legal bullet to win, or to stop, independence.

We also have a piece on what the polls are saying on Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to treat the next General Election as a de-facto indryef.