Thousands take to the streets of the Fair City

Pro-independence group leads march through Perth as roads sealed off

Thousands of Scottish independence supporters marched through Perth on Saturday afternoon as campaign group All Under One Banner brought one of their biggest protests yet to the Fair City.

With a clear attendance figure still uncertain, it is understood that a five-figure crowd was mustered, with protesters and counter-protesters claiming varying figures.

As many as 20,000 had been expected, with major rolling road blocks in place throughout the middle of the day as a three-and-a-half-mile route was cleared for the marchers.

Of the eight parades organised across Scotland this year, only Perth and Glasgow have been of this scale, with the other six being around two miles shorter.

Leaving from Seven Acres park in Letham at 1pm, campaigners from as far as the Borders and Western Isles mustered as police began to seal off roads.

Lead by a pipe band, the procession made its way down Crieff Road and Dunkeld Road, arriving in the city centre just over an hour later.

The parade made its way past a handful of counter-protesters from unionist group A Force For Good, who were fenced into King Edward Street and separated by a handful of police officers.

But there was no trouble as the groups passed each other, with only jeers thrown in each direction.

And the remainder of the march proved peaceful, as police confirmed there were no arrests made during the day.

Turning on to Tay Street, the marchers, led by local SNP MP Pete Wishart and MSP John Swinney, made their way on to the North Inch, as police reopened the roads behind them.

Both politicians were among the speakers as marchers congregated on the North Inch, along with Perth and Kinross Council’s SNP group leader Dave Doogan.

All Under One Banner director Neil MacKay said: “Yes Perth City were on a par with the best local groups we’ve worked with.

“This was a resounding success, maybe the best yet. We had a great site, braw weather and not a single incident.”

Alistair McConnachie, director of A Force For Good, said: “We believe someone has to show AUOB that they don’t own the streets of these towns.

“We were disappointed to see the deputy first minister joining in.”

Above and right: Some of the marchers were dressed for the occasion on what was a sunny day in Perth.