‘Do you hear the people sing” – if you know your musicals you know what follows …

“Singing the song of angry men?

“It is the music of the people. “Who will not be slaves again!”

Now, I know we Scots have got plenty of patriotic songs of our own, but that particular anthem from Les Miserables popped into my head as I watched thousands of people march through the streets of Glasgow at the weekend.

A sea of saltires on the move, people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all ages, all parts of Scotland, singing, chanting, united with one voice with one call – the heartfelt plea for a country to call their own.

Independence is back on the agenda in Scotland, whether you like it or not. How can it not be?

Personally, I don’t particularly want to see another referendum so soon after the last one.

Not because I don’t want an independent Scotland, but because I don’t want to just see another referendum held. I want to see it won.

That was obviously going to take time, to ensure that the 45% became the 60% and more as the untruths of Operation Fear became clear the benefits of being independent even more so.

But now, thanks to Brexit, we are in a different ball game – but the rules are still the same. They are still rigged to ensure Scotland can’t win.

We didn’t vote for Tory austerity but we’ve got it. Along with one, solitary, single Tory MP.

We didn’t want Trident, but we’ve got it. Along with a crippling bill for a hideous weapon that will never be used.

We didn’t want to leave Europe, but we are being hauled out against our will.

Time and time again, we say what we want and someone else tells us we can’t have it.

How often does that have to happen before we say “enough is enough”.

Now, I would suggest.

Back to Les Mis: “When the beating of your heart

“Echoes the beating of the drums

“There is a life about to start

“When tomorrow comes.”

Les Miserables is about a rising that fails.

This time, let’s make sure ours doesn’t.

Time to call end to feudal frippery

Well done David Cameron (not something I ever thought I’d write). But as well ushering in Brexit with a pointless referendum (numpty) he may well be the architect of an end to the archaic Honours system.

Okay, it won’t go that far but his cronyism for those he wants honoured as he leaves office has prompted calls for an overhaul. Hopefully, in that mix will be the idea of doing away with the whole knee-bending forelock tugging nonsense.

It’s time to put this feudal frippery into the history books along with serfdom.

Spectacle a joy to watch

The streets were alive with the sound of music … so were the malls, the kirkyards and the rooftops.

Aye, Festival In The City brought grey Aberdeen to life on Saturday.

This central plank of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival was a pleasure to catch. So many talented young people, giving sheer joy to everyone who watched them. Thanks, chaps.