By Rebecca Kerr

Scottish Independence supporters took to King Street on Friday November 23, following the Supreme Court ruling against a second independence referendum.

This came as part of nationwide rallies against the ruling which setback the possibility of ‘Indyref2’ which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had hoped to carry out in October next year.

The court decided that the Scottish Parliament can’t legally to hold a second independence referendum without the permission of the UK government, according to UK constitutional law.

The Stirling rally had a turnout of around 100 people with singers, speakers and a sky of saltires.

Eva Comrie, member of the ALBA party, took to the podium at the rally, saying:

“What we learned today is what we always knew. We are prisoners, we are not in a voluntary union and Scotland’s independence will not be gifted to us by a Westminster government.

“But equally we know that we won’t accept a London veto on Scotland’s right of self-determination.”

Comrie is ‘confident’ that the majority of Scotland would vote ‘Yes’ in a second independence referendum, if given the chance.

She said: “[We] require to regain the independence of this proud country. Not for promises of riches or honour or glory, but so that our people can be fed, warm, educated… happy.”

Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed went along to the Edinburgh Rally – outside of Holyrood – alongside other members of the Stirling SNP team.

Meanwhile, MP Alyn Smith was down in Westminster. He has spoken out against the ruling and says, although he respects the decision of the court, he disagrees with the principle of Scotland being denied a second independence referendum.

He added: “Legal clarity is always welcome, and what has become clear through this verdict is the death of any notion of a Union of equal partners.

“The future of Scotland must be decided by the Scottish people. The past 12 years – even the past 12 weeks – has demonstrated the damage Westminster incompetence continues to wreak on Scotland’s economy and communities.

“Scottish democracy must prevail.”

However, Conservative MSP and former Stirling MP, Stephen Kerr, has welcomed the ruling and criticised the SNP’s attempts to push for IndyRef2.

He said: “Scotland chose our future very clearly in 2014. No other country in the world holds referendum after referendum to break itself up until the ‘Yes’ side wins.”

During the aftermath of the ruling, support for Scottish Independence shot up and is leading the opinion polls by four points.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has now announced her plan to hold an SNP Party Conference next year to “determine a path forward” for Scotland.