March on the Mound
Edinburgh - Sunday 16th December 2001
The March on the Mound in Edinburgh last Sunday turned out to be an enormous success with a massive turnout of 15,000 people. This exceeded the expected turnout of 10,000 by 50% and represented the biggest rural protest in Britain since 300,000 people marched through London in 1998, and the largest such gathering in Scotland for decades.
In addition to the 15,000 people on the march, a further 3,000 people had expressed their wish to march, but were unable to do so that day.
Allan Murray, Director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance, which organised the March, was extremely grateful to all those who marched, and also to all those who gave their support as volunteers or as businesses.
The following information has been taken from the official web site for the March on the Mound (http://www.march-info.org/ ).
Media Quotes
Daily Record
"Thousands of people march through Edinburgh yesterday, claiming the rural way of life was under threat. Police praised the peaceful demonstration"
The Scotsman
"March on the Mound brought traffic in the capital to a standstill. Police praised the Scottish Countryside Alliance for its co-operation in organising the demonstration.
It was the largest demonstration ever held by the Scottish Countryside Alliance and delivered a blunt message to the policy makers they believe are threatening their way of life. The march set off in the rain, passing through a gate staffed by men who normally count sheep at livestock markets and were applying their trade to a human flock. They counted 15,129 heads.
A request to remain quiet while passing the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to avoid waking the patients was scrupulously observed.
The Daily Mail
"In the biggest demonstration of rural anger Scotland has ever seen, they marched on Edinburgh to demand that the Scottish Executive heeds their concerns on issues such as land reform, hunting, school closures and declining local transport. Before leading the protesters through the city, Scottish Countryside Alliance director Allan Murray summed up their mood in a stirring speech.
The march was the biggest protest in Scotland since the anti-Poll Tax demonstrations. Among the wide range of organisations represented, two of the largest were the National Farmers Union and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. The march also included county residents not involved in hunting or farming who are concerned about the decline in public transport and services in rural areas.
People came from all over the world and the demonstration was good natured and peaceful. The anti-hunt protesters' effort to disrupt the demonstration proved fruitless
The Daily Express
"Celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson Wright yesterday accused Scottish politicians of ignorance over rural issues. The thousands of marchers gathered in The Meadows before making their way to the Mound and Princes Street. The march was organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance, whose director, Allan Murray, said many people who make their living from the land were struggling to survive as politicians decided their future.
The Herald
"Almost 15,000 people took part yesterday in the largest rural protest yet held in Scotland. Demonstrators brought traffic to a standstill in central Edinburgh as they voiced their anger at the way politicians are handling countryside issues.
The march went off peacefully, and the organisers, the Scottish Countryside Alliance, won praise from Lothian and Border police. Chief Superintendent Gordon Munro said, "In all my years in Edinburgh it is the most organised march I have ever come across."
The marchers remained good-natured throughout and were cheered on by onlookers and visitors on tour buses.
The Times
"People of all ages and from across the world marched through Edinburgh to highlight the plight of rural communities which are outraged by the handling of the countryside issues by politicians. The marchers, many carrying flags and placards, had left from the Meadows in Edinburgh where they listened and cheered to speakers.