Scottish independence rally at risk after organisers refused access to Holyrood Park

The organisers of a major Scottis independence march, dubbed 'the biggest independence rally yet' face a crisis after being denied access to Holyrood Park in Edinburgh to stage their event.

The 'biggest indy rally yet' is facing a crisis over location after being denied access to an Edinburgh park

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) refused go grant the group the use of Holyrood Park, meaning organisers face a last minute hunt for a suitable venue.

The non-departmental public body which manages the park informed All Under One Banner that the rally segment of the event could not take place in Holyrood Park due to the fact that it would be political in nature.

According to organisers, around 35,000 people are expected to turn up to the event on Saturday, October 6, with no other venue nearby that could hold so many people.

All Under One Banner have urged their Facebook followers to protest against the decision of HES stating that the refusal to be given access to the venue discriminates against the group, with organisers stating that the recent Processions rally was “political in nature”.

A spokesperson for HES said: “We received an application from All Under One Banner to set up stalls within Holyrood Park as part of their March for Independence.

“As a non-departmental public body, Historic Environment Scotland must remain politically neutral at all times and we do not permit political events of any nature to take place within our Properties in Care. On this basis, we have not granted permission for this element of the event to take place on the Property in Care. As is our normal practice we will accommodate the request to march on the road network within the Park between Horse Wynd through to Holyrood Gait for public safety reasons.”