MARCH AND RALLY DETAILS
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER. Assembly from 10am - The Scottish Parliament
The Scotland Demands Better march and rally will be a vibrant, family friendly day, bringing together individuals and communities from across Scotland to demand better. We are expecting 5000 people to join the march.
The march will set off from outside the Scottish Parliament, march through the centre of Edinburgh and end at the Meadows where the rally will take place with musical acts, speeches, food vendors and free activities for children.
We want the march to demonstrate the range and diversity of support the campaign has so you are encouraged to bring along your own placards, signs and banners!
THE ROUTE
Horse Wynd - High Street – George IV Bridge – Forrest Road – Middle Meadow Walk – The Meadows
If you have restricted mobility there is the option for you to join the march where Chambers Street joins George IV Bridge. This will considerably reduce the length of the march for you whilst ensuring you are able to take part. On this reduced route there are no steep inclines and no cobbles underfoot. If you want to join at this point you should assemble at the end of Chambers Street at 11.20am (see yellow dot bellow to indicate the joining spot).
Please assemble here to join the march from 11am – stewards will be on hand to direct and support you at this point.
MARCH AND RALLY DETAILS
TIMINGS FOR THE DAY
The March
09.30 – 10.00: Coaches arrive and drop-off at Horse Wynd
10.00 – 11.00: Assembly on Horse Wynd, outside the Scottish Parliament
11.00 - 12.30: March from the Scottish Parliament to the Meadows
There will be a stewarding team in place to welcome you to the march and help you find a space to join, or a group to march with. There will be over 200 organisations represented at the march and many more individuals arriving on their own, or with family and friends, from all across Scotland.
FIRST AID AND WELFARE
The event is supported by St Andrew’s First Aid who will be on hand during the march and at the event to offer first aid assistance. Frist Aid and welfare will be positioned in a marquee at the event and will be mobile during the march.
A stewarding team will be on hand to direct and support you during the march and throughout the course of the rally. A safeguarding protocol is in place.
The Rally
12.30 – 13.00: Marchers arrive at the Meadows (vendors will be open)
13:00 – 16:30: Rally at the Meadows
16:30: Coach pick up from Melville Drive/A700
The rally at the meadows will be a mini-festival. There will be musical acts and speeches on the main stage, as well as free activities for kids and food stalls and vendors operated by social enterprises in Edinburgh. The food vendors will accept both cash and card payments.
No alcohol will be available.
The rally is not ticketed and you are welcome to come and go as you please throughout the afternoon. A full performance programme will be released soon so watch this space!
ACCESSIBILITY
We’re comimtted to making the day as accessible as possible for anyone attending. On the march route there are no stairs or other physical obstacles and we will be marching at a slow to moderate pace.
Assistance animals are welcome.
If you have restricted mobility there is the option for you to join the march where Chambers Street joins George IV Bridge. This will considerably reduce the length of the march for you whilst ensuring you are able to take part.
At the event there will be toilets available, including accessible portable toilets and changing facilities.
GETTING THERE VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are good public transport links close to the assembly point on Horse Wynd.
By train: Waverley Train Station is an approximately 16-minute walk away (Edinburgh Waverley Train Station to Horse Wynd, Edinburgh - Google Maps)
Haymarket Station is an approximately 40-minute walk or a 20-30 minute bus ride away (Haymarket Station, Edinburgh to Horse Wynd, Edinburgh - Google Maps)
By tram: Tram stops at Picardy Place and St Andrew’s Square are closest to the assembly point and are around a 20-minute walk from each station (Picardy Pl, Edinburgh to Horse Wynd, Edinburgh - Google Maps or St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh to Horse Wynd, Edinburgh - Google Maps
By bus: Edinburgh bus station is located a 20 minute walk from Horse Wynd if you are travelling into Edinburgh from elsewhere: Edinburgh Bus Station (Megabus, Citylink) to Horse Wynd, Edinburgh - Google Maps
If you are travelling within Edinburgh, the following buses have stops near to Horse Wynd: 35, X4 and X5 Network Maps - Lothian Buses
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Whilst we are hoping for sunshine on the day you should prepare for potentially wet and/or cooler weather. Please ensure you have suitable clothing for cold or wet conditions.
SUSTAINABILITY
We want to leave the march route and the Meadows as we found it. Please ensure you use bins and refuse points provided throughout the day. We would encourage you to bring reusable water bottles and please take all your belongings back with you at the end of the event.