People from Caithness and the Highlands to take part in Independence event in central Scotland
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THE north will be represented at a unique Independence event taking place in central Scotland this weekend. Around 80 people from the Highlands, including about 20 from Caithness, are expected to participate in the Chain of Freedom which the organisers hope will attract a crowd of about 50,000 on Saturday.
A minibus will leave the county at 4.30am and meet up with a bus in Inverness to take people south to be part of a human chain to line up on the 66 miles of the Forth and Clyde canal paths linking one side of the country to the other.
The Chain of Freedom is an attempt to raise awareness of Scotland's fight for independence. It is inspired by a peaceful demonstration across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 1989 when two million people joined hands across 430 miles to protest against being part of the Soviet Union.
One Caithness Yes activist pointed out that others from the Highlands may be making their own way south and said: "We hope to have some good photos and possibly video of the event on social media. If it works it should make a dramatic spectacle. The general feeling is that marches are no longer having much effect and new ideas are needed."
The event is also set to feature a large, metal unicorn handmade by a Sutherland man. Duncan Hutchison of Lochinver will be showcasing the unicorn, which is the official national animal of Scotland, on Saturday.
He spent months making the sculpture out of scrap metal. In a symbolic gesture, well-known Scottish journalist, broadcaster and author Lesley Riddoch will break the chains binding the unicorn.
The event has been organised by Judith Reid and Wilma Bowie from Inverness. They described the response as "overwhelmingly supportive" and pointed out that people are coming from all over Scotland, parts of Europe and as far away as Australia.
It is said to be one of the biggest demonstrations for an independent Scotland ever organised and is expected to be "a momentous spectacle".
