THOUGH it will be on a smaller scale than the marches and rallies for independence which have been taking place across Scotland all summer, today’s event in Dunfermline is set to be high on quality.
For among the list of speakers at the Forward As One march for independence in the ancient capital of Scotland will be terrific Scottish musicians and The National’s own Paul Kavanagh, who has made such an impact at events like The National roadshows and Yes group meetings up and down the country.
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All the preparations are made for today’s event which will see the march go from Viewfield Terrace in central Dunfermline down the High Street and through the Glen gates into Pittencrieff Park for the rally and festival.
Participants in the march are asked to gather at Viewfield Terrace/Eastport in time to allow a prompt departure at 11am.
It is anticipated that the rally in Pittencrieff Park will start about 40 minutes later with a one-minute silence for remembrance at 11.44am.
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The musicians of the Graham Brown Band will then start the festivities, followed by a sky-diving team display.
Douglas Chapman, the local SNP MP, will be the first speaker and following him and making her debut on the independence platform will be Cllr Ashley Graczyk who recently moved from the Conservative group on Edinburgh Council to the SNP group – her insight on Tory benefit cuts should be worth listening to.
After more music from Pepper Jock, former SNP MP Michelle Thomson will speak, and in turn she will be followed by Martin Keatings, convener of Forward As One – well, if you can’t speak at your own demo where can you speak? Singer Amanda Brown is up next, and hopefully the Fifer will give the crowd her stirring version of Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia.
Selma Rahman from Women for Independence will then speak before singer-songwriter Kevin Gore brings his brand of music and social concern to the stage.
Pat Lee of Solidarity and Sam Cook will then speak before Pete Scally rocks the park. It is then the turn of Paul Kavanagh to give his unique view of independence and the way forward for the Yes movement.
Next band up is The Ronains, the rising stars of the Scottish music scene, before Fiona Robertson, the disabled writer and activist, addresses the crowd. Andrew Gordon’s songs have enhanced many an indy event, and he will precede Tommy Sheridan and Peter Bell, both powerful speakers for independence.
The Pirate Proclaimers will bring a lot of fun to the festival before Wendy McDonald Thomson, Gary Kelly and Edith close this event full of quality speaking and music in the greatest cause of our day.
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