The Believe in Scotland march and rally for independence will commence from Parliament Square at 11.30 on Saturday morning, progressing down The Royal Mile to Calton Hill where speeches will be heard from the SNP leader and others.
John Swinney, will address the rally after the Independence march in Edinburgh on Saturday and will say that the powers of independence “can be used to bring energy bills down, protect the NHS, and ensure Scotland is always put first”.
Before the march, Mr Swinney said: “The Westminster establishment is broken. And it is Scotland that is paying the price.
“In one of the most energy rich countries in the world, people pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe.
“It does not add up. And yet it is the reality for people right across this country. Westminster has failed.
“But our job is not just to diagnose the problem with Westminster.
“People see that every day – they know Westminster is broken.
“Our job is to do something different.
“It is to inspire people with a vision for Scotland that is better than what Westminster can offer.
“To show how we can use the powers of independence not just to prevent the worst failures of Westminster but to build something better for Scotland.
“A country with lower energy bills.
“Where our NHS is protected from the threat of Westminster privatisation.
“Where our industry is protected and jobs secured.
“That is what independence means for Scotland – and that is the prize that is before us on May 7th with an SNP majority.”
Mr Swinney’s appearance at the independence rally has been criticised by the Scottish Conservatives leader, Russell Findlay.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “John Swinney should be talking about the issues that matter most to people.
“He should be talking about the cost-of-living crisis, that his sky-high taxes have helped create, and fixing the NHS, which has been wrecked by 19 years of SNP incompetence.
“Instead, he and his supporters will be waving flags and demanding the break-up of the UK.
“The SNP’s independence obsession is Swinney’s only priority in this election.
“He’s said he will press ahead with his plan for a referendum if he wins a majority. The way to stop that is by voting Scottish Conservative on your peach ballot paper.
“My party will focus on the real priorities in this election.
“That’s why I’ll be waiting some tables while John Swinney is rabble-rousing about breaking up our great country. I want to experience first-hand how tough it is for Scottish hospitality businesses which are being hit hard by the SNP’s brutal rates hikes.”
Mr Findlay is working at a restaurant in Perthshire, to “highlight the plight of hospitality businesses reeling from crippling rates rises under the SNP”.
