Hundreds of people gathered outside the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood on Wednesday night following the Supreme Court's decision that a second independence referendum can not go ahead without the consent of Westminster.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon had hoped to conduct IndyRef2 on October 19, 2023, but her plans have now been hit by a setback that makes it unlikely that the vote will go ahead next year.
Hundreds flocked to Holyrood to show their disappointment with the decision, with some saying that they still believe Scotland will become an independent country and blasted the decision by the Supreme Court.
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Taking to the stage, the First Minister gave her thoughts on the decision. Tommy Shepherd MP also gave a speech and a pipe band played at one point.
The tune of Flower of Scotland was played through the microphone to which the crowd sang along in harmony. Counter-protestors gathered on the the opposite side of the road.
We spoke to various people in the crowd who support IndyRef2 and were left disappointed by the decision. One local, Tony, said: "The decision by the Supreme Court was really a travesty of democracy. After all, the Scottish people voted for a Parliament that would hold a referendum and that has been exhorted which is not right.
"So now it is up to us to take it into our hands and demand the right decision, not just for us pensioners here but for our children and our grandchildren. This is their future."
Another man, Andrew, commented: "Well I'm here to campaign for Scotland's democratic rights. I think it's important to remember that if Scotland was never allowed to have second referendum's then we wouldn't have this Scottish Parliament.
"It has already been established that people can change their minds when circumstances change and I think the people of Scotland have already decided by voting for an independent majority in the Scottish Parliament. I think it's our only opportunity to make things better and today has demonstrated how powerless we are within the union and how un-democratic it is.
"Independence is all about self empowerment and that's why it's important."
A third member of the rally, Connor, said: "I think it's a disgrace that it has come to this, what we're seeing in front of us, to get what most of Scotland want. The majority of Scotland want independence and that's all there is to it.
"I think we'll get it. You can see by turnout of the people over the road just how in favour of independence the country is."
During the aftermath of the decision, Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "While disappointed by it I respect ruling of @UKSupremeCourt - it doesn't make law, only interprets it. A law that doesn't allow Scotland to choose our own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth any notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership & makes case for Indy.
"Scottish democracy will not be denied. Today’s ruling blocks one route to Scotland’s voice being heard on independence - but in a democracy our voice cannot and will not be silenced."
While leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross welcomed the decision from the Supreme Court and said the majority of the country do not want a second referendum.
He added: "I welcome the Supreme Court’s unanimous judgement. We know that the majority of Scots do not want another independence referendum. It is now time for Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP Government to fully focus on the big challenges facing Scotland.
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