An unprecedented amount of food was donated by Aberdonians during a pro-independence rally set up in the city’s historic heart today.
The Castlegate was the scene of the activity this afternoon, which attracted around 400 people and saw the Mercat Cross used as an impromptu food bank.
Scottish saltires, kilts and “Yes” signs were on display at the event, organised by a collective of pro-Scottish independence groups.
The event was spearheaded by Aberdeen Unite: Hope over Fear, a pro-independence group working to objectively unify Aberdeen residents who voted both Yes and No following the outcome of the vote.
Similar rallies were held in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh on Saturday.
James Lewis and Charlene Broderick, of Aberdeen Unite, organised the rally, which also saw charity donations made to cancer charity, Clan.
The group had originally only aimed to collect food for poverty and exclusion charity, The Trussel Trust, but found themselves over encumbered with donations.
Mr Lewis said: “We organised the food bank drive after Charlene saw it done in Glasgow. There was so much food turned up we had to split it between the Trussell Trust and the Salvation Army.
“It was a great response, there was about 400 people turned up and everyone brought food and there were a few speeches, we opened up to the crowd to people who wanted to speak.”
Aberdeen Unite aims to work with No voters in the city, ensuring that the Scottish Parliament gets the fully devolved powers promised by voters from both side of the referendum debate.
Mr Lewis said: “Obviously there was quite a divide across Scotland around the referendum. We want to work with the No voters to get the powers we want in Scotland.
“We had a couple of No supporters there, it was open to everybody, it wasn’t just a Yes drive.
“It was enough to get the word out, we have said we would do more events in Aberdeen in a months time.”
Among the pro-independence groups were “Aberdeen 45” – who are aiming to continue the work of the Yes campaign following the outcome of the referendum.
The name is represents the percentage of Scots who voted for an independent Scotland at the referendum on September 18.