Dozens of Scottish independence supporters gathered at Glasgow Green today for the first pro-independence march of the year, organised by All Under One Banner.
Around 5,000 independence supporters marched through the city, signalling ongoing support for the Yes movement despite growing economic uncertainty and the rise of far-right politics.
The march began at Kelvin Way in the west end at 11:30am, winding through Glasgow city centre before concluding in the east end.
Ailsa MacDonald, 42, teacher from Edinburgh said: “Farage represents everything Scotland wants to move away from — anti-immigrant rhetoric, culture wars, and economic short-sightedness.
His rise is a warning. If the UK continues down this path, it’ll be the working-class people here in Scotland who pay the highest price.”
Hamza Qureshi, 28, NHS nurse from Glasgow told the Giste: “I see the effects of inequality every shift, patients stuck in cycles of poverty, unable to access timely care.
We are constantly asked to do more with less. I believe independence offers us a chance to rebuild our health service with dignity and justice at its core. We’re marching not out of anger, but hope for a better, self-governed Scotland.”
retired social worker from Inverness, Morag Sutherland said: “I’ve watched generation after generation of Scottish communities be neglected or sidelined by decisions made hundreds of miles away.”
The 66-year-old also said Westminster talks about levelling up, but “what we need is levelling freedom to govern ourselves. Independence is our opportunity to tackle inequality at its roots and create a nation built on compassion, fairness and respect.”
Callum Fraser, 19, student from Dundee:”This is about the future I want to live in. A future where my voice matters, where climate action is not delayed, and where housing and education are treated as rights, not privileges. For my generation, independence represents empowerment. We’re not here to repeat old battles, we are here to start building something new.”
Led by a pipe band, the march featured a display of Saltires, Palestinian flags, and Pride banners bearing the Lion Rampant.
Participants described a charged atmosphere, with many expressing a renewed sense of urgency in response to Scotland’s worsening poverty levels, rising unemployment, and concerns over increasing far-right influence, particularly following the planned closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
Notably absent were key pro-independence politicians, including John Swinney, Patrick Harvie, and Stephen Flynn, suggesting a lack of widespread political backing for the event.
Yes Scotland was the organisation representing the parties, organisations, and individuals campaigning for a Yes vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
It was launched on 25 May 2012 and dissolved in late 2014 after Scotland voted against independence.
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