All Under One Banner Edinburgh rally: Everything you need to know

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the pro-independence march and rally in Edinburgh today. Picture: John Devlin

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WITH the announcement that the All Under One Banner pro-independence rally is to go ahead in Edinburgh today, here's everything you need to know ahead of the march.

I thought it was cancelled, what happened?

The rally, which had been planned many weeks in advance, was to gather at Holyrood Park after a march down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

However, the Holyrood Park part of the plan was thrown into doubt when Historic Environment Scotland (HES) refused permission for the demo.

HES said they could not allow any events of a ‘political nature’ to gather at Holyrood Park, which they are responsible for.

Undeterred, activists then began planning a mass “picnic” to round off their march and have made their intentions clear on social media.

Marchers plan '˜picnic' at Holyrood Park after Scottish independence rally is ba...

But at 3.30pm on Friday, organisers All Under One Banner (AUOB), who have staged similar events across Scotland, claimed the decision had been overturned following lengthy discussions with the council, the police and HES.

AUOB said an “executive call was made by Police to facilitate our Rally at Holyrood park in the interests of H & S and public order”.

However, Historic Environment Scotland has insisted this is not the case, confirming on its website that the ban remains in force.

A statement reads: “Our position on use of the Park for any rally after the march remains the same. It has not been overruled by Police Scotland.

“To confirm, we have not given permission for the set-up of stalls, staging, branding and other static presence within Holyrood Park.

“We wish to advise that the public will be able to access Holyrood Park as normal on Saturday 6 October.”

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Okay, so when will it go ahead?

The independence march is scheduled to assemble at the Capital’s Johnston Terrace under the shadow of the castle rock at 1.00pm sharp.

And what route will it take?

Starting at Johnston Terrace, marchers will make their way down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament.

The full route is as follows:

• Johnston Terrace (1pm)

• Lawnmarket

• High Street

• Canongate

• Queen’s Drive (Scottish Parliament)

• Holyrood Park

A full list of road closures can be found here.

How many are expected to attend?

Early estimates suggest that up to 50,000 people could attend today’s march and rally.

Full figures will be supplied by Police Scotland after the end of the march.

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