Scottish independence: Catalan flags fly at Yes Scotland rally in Glasgow

The world is watching the result of the Scottish independence with interest, with smaller nations looking to break away see whether the Yes Scotland is the path to follow.

One region with a particular interest is Catalonia in Spain, which has struggled for independence on and off since the 17th century, and red and yellow Catalan flags can be seen amongst the hundreds of Saltires flying at Yes Scotland rallies.

An estimated half a million people marched through the streets of Barclenoa last week to call for independence from Spain on Diada Nacional de Catalunya. The rally was a demonstration of support for an independence referendum on 9 November, but unlike in Scotland, whose flags were a common site in the crowd, the Catalan referendum has been dubbed “illegal” by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Despite the lack of approval from Madrid, the people of the region are expected to be asked the question “Do you want Catalonia to become a State?” in an unofficial ballot on 9 November, and Catalan independence campaigners have said that they feel emboldened by the success of the Yes Scotland campaign.

If Scotland votes Yes on Thursday, they may not just be responsible for the break up of the United Kingdom, but also a domino effect which could bring rise to a growth of small states calling for independence while remaining under the larger umbrella of protection and trade links provided by the EU.

Next? Spotted among the Scottish flags at a Yes rally in Glasgow – the banner of Catalonia… pic.twitter.com/zsT51aK666

— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) September 17, 2014