ANGER is growing across the Yes movement after activists who are walking 500 miles around Scotland to promote the independence cause were refused entry to Stirling Castle’s car park yesterday morning.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) – the quango which has already infuriated activists by banning the All Under One Banner rally from Holyrood Park at the end of next Saturday’s march through Edinburgh – reportedly told the walkers it was because their presence was “political”.

Two HES employees approached the walkers and said they couldn’t be there as they attempted to take photographs at the empty car park, the Castle being closed at the time.

One of the walkers, Dean Woodhouse of Yes Linton, told The National: “We weren’t in the castle itself as that was closed. One of the staff threatened to call the police, even though we explained we were only there for a five-minute photoshoot.”

Police officers duly arrived and, after a conversation with the walkers, took no action.

Another of the group, Dave Llewellyn, said: “We recorded the whole conversation with the HES and the police on video and no matter how you spin it, it’s political skullduggery.”

The walkers, who have been backed by The Proclaimers and senior politicians – SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP joined them at its start in Portree – decided to leave and headed for Cumbernauld. The incident has caused furore among indy supporters on social media with some saying they would cancel their memberships with HES, while others called on the Scottish Government to intervene.

Charlie Roper said on Twitter: “That’s my membership of 18 years cancelled, absolutely fuming.”

Police Scotland confirmed to The National that officers had attended at the castle.

Historic Environment Scotland stated: “At around 8:30 this morning, a group gathered on the Esplanade at Stirling Castle. A member of Castle staff, understanding this to be an unauthorised demonstration, followed our normal procedure and engaged with the group to tell them that they would not be able to congregate on the Esplanade.

“The group were also informed that we were anticipating a busy day at the Castle and as such we work to ensure visitor flow and access is not disrupted.

“We can confirm that the group had made no prior approach to the site to seek permission for use of the Castle esplanade. Our staff followed procedure that would be taken for any unauthorised demonstration or photo opp at our sites.

“Police Scotland were called as the group had not moved on when asked to by member of staff. This is our standard procedure

“Prior permission is required to hold any event at our Properties in Care. We receive many requests to hold such activity at our sites and each case is considered on an individual basis. If we become aware of unauthorised activity our staff ask people to move on from the site.”

Under the Act which set up the quango - technically a non-departmental public body - Ministers delegate functions to the organisation but can over-rule the quango at any time.

A Scottish Government spokesman said “it’s a matter for HES”.