A pro-independence march and rally has attracted thousands of people to Edinburgh in one of the biggest events of its kind the city has seen.
Princes Street Gardens was transformed into a sea of saltire and lion rampant flags as people from all over the country gathered in support of a yes vote in the 2014 referendum.
Politicians, civil action groups and entertainers took part in the event held under the banner Independence for Scotland.
SNP leader Alex Salmond told the crowd Scots had the right to choose a national health service, no tuition fees and minimum alcohol pricing.
Referring to the Westminster Government, Mr Salmond said to cheers and applause: "Why should they choose austerity when we want to choose to invest in the future?
"Why should they choose to govern social security in such a way that people with disability and blindness have to come to the Scottish Parliament complaining about being reduced to penury?
The end of the UK is near!
