Scottish independence

The announcement came during the first minister's keynote speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.

The SNP won more than half of the seats at Holyrood in 2011, an electoral triumph that paved the way for a poll on the country's future.

The first minister will declare a mandate for a second independence referendum, if the SNP wins a majority of seats in the 2026 Holyrood election.

The procession - organised by All Under One Banner - ended with a rally at the Scottish Parliament.

With John Swinney pushing for a referendum, will independence dominate the Holyrood election campaign?

The prime minister has said the SNP's latest plans for an independence are a distraction tactic from the success of new work for Scottish shipyards.

The first minister says a majority of SNP MSPs at Holyrood should be the trigger for a new vote.