Thousands flood Capital for referendum campaign

Thousands of supporters of both sides of the debate in the independence referendum have turned out to campaign in the Capital.

Campaigners gather in the Meadows ahead of the Independence referendum. Pic: Murray McCann

As the polling day drew closer, and with mass rallies taking place in Glasgow and Aberdeen, the ‘Yes’ camp drew huge numbers of supporters to the Meadows, including actor Brian Cox, with people waving flags and banners urging people to vote for independence.

And at the Grange Cricket club in Stockbridge hundred of campaigners from Better Together turned out to form a gigantic Human ‘No’ in a bid to convince voters to reject independence.

The need to convince supporters to get out and vote on Thursday was again highlighted as the latest polls released on Sunday showed the two campaigns almost neck and neck, with most experts predicting the vote would be too close to call and First Minister Alex Salmond saying it could come down to a single vote.

Human NO campaign at The Grange Cricket club Stockbridge. Pic: Ian Georgeson

The campaigning also came from the pulpit on the last Sunday before the vote, as minister urged Scots from to work for reconciliation and avoid recrimination after the referendum.

They offered no guidance, heavenly or otherwise, on which way to vote, but said it was important that Scots did not shirk from casting a ballot and shaping their future.

In a morning sermon at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, the moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, Reverend John Chalmers, said: “It will be hard, because I’m one of those people who has spent a lifetime trying to see both sides of every argument, trying to work out complicated ‘middle ways’ that keep as many people as possible content.

“On this issue, like the people of Israel standing before Elijah, I need to come off the fence.”

Reverend Chalmers said he hoped the energetic engagement in civic life created by the referendum would carry on after Thursday.

“And all of those who will vote ‘Yes’ and all of those who will vote ‘No’, we need to remember that we belong together in the same Scotland.

“When we wake up on the 19th of September we need to be ready to work on the same side - to work for the future of Scotland and work with our near neighbours in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - whatever the outcome.”