THE gallant band who are walking 500 miles for independence have reached central Scotland after a journey across and down through the north of Scotland which participant Dave Llewellyn says has changed his whole view of this land.

Speaking from Dunblane last night, Llewellyn looked forward to the final week ahead which will take in Stirling later today, then Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Bellshill, Blackridge, Bathgate Linlithgow and Queensferry.

READ MORE: HES Holyrood Park ban galvanises Yes groups for Edinburgh march

Llewellyn said: “Next Saturday we’ll carry our shields and the Declaration of Arbroath into Edinburgh for the All Under One banner march.

The walk began in Portree and there have been casualties. “We started off with eight people who were going to walk the whole distance but we lost our driver early and I have been doing the driving ever since,” said Llewellyn

“Four people have walked every step – Jim Stewart, Karl Claridge, Wren Chapman and Dean Woodhouse.

“Dean’s had real problems with his feet and it’s been pretty difficult for him but he is carrying on and walking through the pain barrier.

“The response in the Highlands in particular has been incredible.

“We have discovered so many things about Scotland that needs to be fixed, and only independence can make that happen.

“We met so many people with concerns that people in the Central Belt are simply unaware of. We’ve learned that we need to pull together as a nation.”