Douglas Arthur: “I’ve been at all the marches, I think this one is particularly important because it’s the capital city.

James Lumsden: “It’s fantastic to see so many people out marching, we’re proud to keep the movement going, 2014 was obviously crushing for everybody, but nobody is giving up.

READ MORE: AUOB Edinburgh march biggest pro-independence event in Scotland's history

Jim Harvey: “It’s a brilliant day, beautiful weather, massive turnout, which we expected. All you can see is an ocean of saltires. This is a wee message to Westminster, we’re not going back in our box.”

Doreen Newall: “Quite simply, and what I always put on my banners, which I forgot today of all days…Independence speaks to the beat of my heart.”

Miguel and Roger, Marketing Executive and Dentist, Portugal (Living in Scotland for 3 years): “From our perspective, it’s not about emotion, it’s the most rational course for Scotland’s future. It doesn’t really make sense to be tied to Westminster, and have no say in your own affairs.”

Francis and Renee (Visiting from Canada): “It’s emotional to watch, so many people fighting for their right to be independent, even though I’m not from this country my ancestors were, meaning that we have some ties to Scotland. We’re glad we’re here to see it, perfect timing if you ask us.”

Catherine Maclean: “Scotland deserves to be like every other country on the planet, able to determine its own government, and to decide who sets the priorities in our own nation. Not to have it determined by a pile of Tories in London, who know nothing about us and don’t care about us.

Paul McCartney (no, not that one): “Excellent turnout today, wall to wall, a lot of support from East Kilbride, we’ve never stopped campaigning since 2012 since the original set up of Yes East Kilbride and we’ll never stop. Our hope is that the Scottish Government will react to the day by using the mandate’’.

Kim Silvam (from South Brazil): “I lived in Scotland as a kid, from 1989 to 1994. It’s great to see this happening. I had been planning the trip along with my wife. I told my friend Christopher that we had to come here to be part of this, because it’s very important. The political scene in Brazil is so chaotic, and seeing what’s happening here in Scotland is empowering.”

Sharron Gallagher: “I came on the march because I wanted to walk alongside like-minded people. People who don’t support a government that balances their books on the backs of the most beleaguered & vulnerable men, women and children in our society.”

Craig Dalzell, head of policy and research at Common Weal: “The day has been mobbed! It’s been a great crowd and a really great energy here. Plenty of people have been coming up to talk to us about policies or ask us how things have been going. It’s been a very good and encouraging day.”

Greg Drysdale: “I was live streaming for Yes Stirling’s Facebook page. We started filming just after the wedding party-filled double decker bus drove by and up to the castle to cheers and applause. I hope 100,000 folks helped make their day special!’’ Fiona Phelan: “I’m here today because I didn’t want to stand on the sidelines of history. I’m born in Bridge of Allan and live in England. But I didn’t want to stay, so I flew up for the day and back in the evening. It’s always good-natured and I think it’s important to prove that there is an appetite for independence.”