First Minister to address independence rally

On Saturday the First Minister will address an independence march after it progresses through Edinburgh from Johnston Terrace below Edinburgh Castle to The Scottish Parliament.

This will mean that Johnston Terrace, Castlehill, Lawnmarket to George IV Bridge are closed from noon – 4pm.
Lawnmarket, High Street / Canongate and adjoining roads, Horse Wynd, Abbeyhill, Abbeymount will then be closed from 1.30pm – 6pm.

The First Minister, Humza Yousaf is expected to say this to the crowd at the Believe in Scotland rally: “As we gather here today – in the European capital of a European nation – we are reminded that Brexit is nothing short of a national tragedy.

“But the fact that it was forced upon Scotland against our will also makes it a democratic disgrace.

“To those of you with us today who are new Scots, who were born outside of Scotland, let us say this.

“Let us tell you how much we value you being here – how much we value the contribution you make to Scotland.

“We could not be what we are today without you. 

“And for as long as I can do anything about it, you will always be welcome here.

“Friends, independence allows us to put right the historic wrong of Brexit.

“Westminster is taking us down the wrong path. It’s not just that we are facing a cost of living crisis – Scotland is facing a cost of Westminster crisis.

“But by taking Scotland’s future into our own hands, we can get back on the right track.

“We can rejoin the world’s largest trading bloc – one that is seven times larger than the UK by population. 

“We can be at the top table of the EU as an independent member state – working in partnership with countries across Europe.

“We can – once again – be at the heart of Europe where we belong.”