Let's start with this:
Pro-independence march led by John Swinney mocked over 'pathetic' turnout
The Scottish Conservatives slammed John Swinney for prioritising 'rabble rousing' with diehard nationalists
John Glover 28 Mar 2026
Critics have mocked the weekend independence March led by John Swinney over its poor turnout with many claiming that more people turned up to watch Stenhousemuir Football Club play.
The annual Believe in Scotland march, organised by failed businessman Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, kicked off on Saturday, June 28 at 11.30am at Parliament Square on Edinburgh's Royal Mile before beginning at 12:00 p.m. Soar Alba Pipes and Drums will lead the march down the Royal Mile, with the rally taking place on Calton Hill.
Attendees heard speeches from John Swinney, Hollywood actor Brian Cox, broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and Scottish Greens co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer. It will be hosted by presenter Alistair Heather, who used to work for ousted MP John Nicolson, and has fronted taxpayer-funded ad campaigns.
However, critics were quick to point out the spaces, with some even, joking the Ardrossan Christmas light switch-on gets more attendees.
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Users guessed around 1,000 people were at the summit listening to speech at the top of the hill. One said: "Had more people at ARDROSSAN Christmas lights switch on ffs"
Another joked: "An intimate afternoon in the park with Brian Cox." One wrote: "That’s it ? Ffs that’s a riddy. Millions of people and THAT is the amount you can muster It’s over ffs , time to wake up I dream of tactical voting to oust you from power."
One said: "Dearie me John…there’s more at the Stenhousemuir match today for goodness sake".
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “While John Swinney was up a hill rabble-rousing with nationalist diehards, I spent the day talking with ordinary Scots in the real world.
“By leading a nationalist rally on the first weekend of the election campaign, he confirmed how out of touch he is with the people of Scotland.
“Waiting tables at a restaurant in Swinney’s back yard, I heard about people’s real concerns including cost-of-living pressures and the plight of Scottish hospitality businesses.
“Swinney’s flag-waving antics confirmed that independence will always be his only priority. He says that he’ll win a majority on May 7 and use that to demand another divisive and unwanted referendum.
More:
https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/pro-independence-march-led-john-36937964