Rural protesters take to the streets

Protesters say they have been marginalised

Thousands of protesters have taken part in one of the biggest countryside demonstrations ever seen in Scotland.

The organisers of the Edinburgh rally called on people from around the world to join them in drawing attention to what they see as the difficulties faced by rural communities.

Their grievances include a bill to ban hunting with dogs in Scotland and the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Protesters are also upset about the Scottish Land Reform Bill, which will open up the countryside and extend the rights of communities to buy their land.

Allan Murray: "Countryside is frustrated and angry"

About 12,000 people set out from The Mound in the capital at 1230 GMT in protest, they said, at politicians' failure to act on the rights of rural communities.

The Scottish Executive said in a statement that rural development "was a key priority" and it was "committed to support and enhance all aspects of rural life in Scotland".

Following the rally, thousands of protesters, sounding hunting horns and chanting, made their way through the city centre.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance had expected protesters from all over the UK and from as far afield as Australia, Norway and Europe.

It described the turnout as "absolutely fantastic" and urged the Scottish Parliament to act on rural concerns.

Countryside Alliance director Allan Murray said Sunday's Edinburgh rally was an opportunity for countryside people to demonstrate how they feel.

He said: "The countryside is frustrated and angry. Countryside people feel their traditions and rights are being taken out of their hands.

"They feel ignored, patronised and dictated to by people with an urban mindset."

Protesters braved the inclement weather

Police advised motorists and visitors that certain roads would be closed for short periods.

Over 110 coaches were booked to bring people to Edinburgh as well as 22 mini buses.

A wide range of organisations including the National Farmers' Union, the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, gamekeeping and other countryside organisations supported the march.

'Economic vandalism'

It moved on to the Middle Meadow Walk, Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, the Mound, Princes Street, Lothian Road before coming to an end at King Stables Road.

Mr Murray criticised the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill, currently going through the Scottish Parliament and branded it as "ill-thought out legislation".

"It amounts to social and economic vandalism perpetrated on the countryside by politicians determined to drive their fellow Scots out of their homes and jobs without a second thought for the consequences," he said.

Former Scottish rugby player and Borders farmer, John Jeffrey, addressed the demonstrators before the rally got under way.

Rural development is a key priority for the Scottish Executive

Scottish Executive statement

He said they were united by a common cause and applauded them for being "great supporters of Scotland".

However, in a statement the executive said it was committed to driving the rural agenda forward.

"Rural development is a key priority for the Scottish Executive, which has made a commitment to support and enhance all aspects of rural life in Scotland," the statement read.

"In doing so, recognising that rural Scotland is an integral part of Scotland and critical to its success.

"The appointment of a minister for rural development and the establishment of cross cutting machinery such as a ministerial committee on rural development to support this work is a clear signal of the executive's determination to drive the rural agenda forward."

On Friday, demonstrators caused traffic chaos on the M74 as a couple of trucks and a Range Rover staged a go-slow on the southbound carriageway.

That protest was carried out by a group called the Rural Rebels, who have become known by the bright orange boilersuits they wear during their demonstrations.