Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp: “The Edinburgh march and rally on 28 March is a pivotal moment for the indy movement”

The founder of the Believe in Scotland campaign, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, will speak at the campaign's national independence march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday, 28 March.

The rally will gather supporters on Calton Hill, an iconic location closely associated with some of the most memorable demonstrations of the modern independence movement.

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said the setting would evoke the spirit of earlier marches that helped build the independence movement.

“Like tens of thousands of others I was on the independence march in 2013 that rallied on Calton Hill, and I suspect we all feel a little nostalgic about Calton Hill as a location. In many ways it’s an appropriate rally point, as Believe in Scotland’s march and rallies are often referred to as bringing back the positive, passionate, fun and family atmosphere of those IndyRef marches and rallies.”

He stressed that the event is intended to be a positive demonstration of the movement’s vision for the future.

“This march and rally isn't a protest, it will be a celebration of Scotland's potential as an independent nation, one that will thrive once free from the negative impact of distant, incompetent, uncaring London rule. This gathering also represents a clear statement that our campaign will not stop, nor even slow until Scotland becomes an independent nation again.”

GMK said this rally can be a pivotal moment for the independence movement, and attending Yesers will send a key message ahead of the next Scottish parliamentary elections.

“Join us and send a clear message that the Scottish people have a democratic right to decide Scotland's future ahead of this year's Scottish parliamentary elections, and when we do, we will decide to become independent.”

“Scottish independence needs a pro-indy Holyrood majority to progress, and if Scotland returns a majority for parties that have a second IndyRef in their manifestos, then Scotland gets another independence referendum. And when Scotland votes for independence in IndyRef2, or, if need be, a de facto referendum at GE26, then Scotland gets independence.

“After May’s elections we may see Scotland run by a pro-indy majority, Wales led by a pro-indy party, and Northern Ireland (already run by Sinn Féin) calling for an Irish unification referendum. Add to that a British nationalist right-wing party made up largely of failed Tory rejects looking at a massive Westminster majority at the next UK general election, and the union is dead. There is a path to independence opening up, so let’s march down it, starting on Sat March 28th.”

GMK said bringing together political leaders, cultural figures, and influential voices from civic Scotland shows the strength and diversity of the independence movement.

“We are bringing together some of the leading political voices within the independence movement, including Scotland’s First Minister and the co-leaders of the Scottish Greens, alongside some of the most respected campaigners, thinkers, and cultural figures in the wider independence movement such as Lesley Riddoch and Brian Cox.

“Gillian and Ross represent a new generation of political leadership within the Yes movement, and this will be their first opportunity, as Co-leaders, to address a national independence rally and bring their message of a fairer, greener, more democratic Scotland to the thousands who will gather on Calton Hill.

“Lesley Riddoch has spent decades helping people in Scotland look at our country with fresh eyes and raise our ambitions for what Scotland could become. She has a rare talent for talking about the kind of country we could build, the communities we could empower, and the democratic renewal that could come with independence.

“And with voices like Brian Cox joining us, the rally reflects the breadth of Scotland’s independence movement: political leaders, campaigners, thinkers, and cultural figures, all united by a belief that Scotland can become a better, fairer, and more caring country once we start to seize the opportunities that independence brings.”

With the Holyrood election campaign about to begin, this march is an important opportunity to demonstrate clearly and visibly that support for independence remains strong across Scotland. A large national turnout on the streets of Edinburgh will help ensure that independence is front and centre as the short campaign period begins.

Believe in Scotland – March and Rally for Scottish Independence
Saturday, March 28th, 2026, Edinburgh

Marchers will begin gathering from 11:30 a.m. on the Royal Mile by Parliament Square.

The march will begin at 12:00 p.m., led by Soar Alba Pipes and Drums, proceeding down the Royal Mile to the gathering point on Calton Hill.

The march is expected to arrive at Calton Hill at around 1:20 p.m., with the rally beginning shortly afterwards.

We hope you will join us for what is shaping up to be an important day for our movement.