Scottish independence supporters urged to make Stirling march loud after pipe band withdrawal
Musicians are being urged to join the Scottish independence rally through the streets of Stirling this weekend after a pipe and drum band were forced to pull out.
All Under One Banner (AUOB) will once again host its annual march from Old Stirling Bridge to the Battle of Bannockburn field on Saturday, June 21.
The independence march sets off at 11am and participants will walk their way through the city's streets armed with banners, placards, megaphones and flags.
The rally is set to coincide with the 711th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, which took place on June 23 and 24, 1314.
AUOB this week issued a call for musicians and drummers to attend. They said: 'The pipe band Saor Alba Pipes & Drums have informed us that sadly they will be unable to attend Stirling this year, so we are putting out this call for musicians to march with us this weekend.
'Whether you play the pipes or the drums, or play other musical instruments, and you can make it along on Saturday – then you are most welcome. We encourage you to be at Old Stirling Bridge for 10.30am sharp.
'We are also putting out the call for marchers to make the mobilisation highly audible, whether that be blowing whistles, using megaphones, percussion instruments or with electronic speakers playing music. We look forward to the YesBikers, who will be leading the march from the bridge.
'AUOB calls for the movement to unite and march next Saturday – making a powerful demonstration and statement of intent. Scotland's ancient past calls to our future – what we must do to make independence happen, and make it stand.'
Due to the procession through the city, a number of roads will be closed between 10.30am and 12pm on Saturday.
The road closures will be in: Laurencecroft Road; Drip Road; Back O'Hill Road; Lower Bridge Street; Cowane Street; Barnton Street; Murray Place; Port Street; St Ninians Road; Newhouse; Randolph Terrace; Main Street; Borestone Crescent; Mcgrigor Road; Craigend Road; Barnsdale Road; Newpark Road; Nailer Road; and Borestone Place.
Last month, around 5,000 took part in an AUOB rally in Glasgow – from Kelvin Bridge to Glasgow Green. Demonstrators there carried Saltires as well as Palestinians flags.
In previous years, the Stirling march has attracted as many as 20,000 people to it.
The 2018 edition saw the colourful cavalcade of separatist supporters carrying flags, banners and placards as they took two hours to march the two miles from King's Park to the rally at the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre.
Apart from the Saltire and Royal Banner of Scotland, there were also the flags of Catalonia, Germany, Palestine and even Canada in evidence.
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