Republic Day, a festival, celebration, rally, protest.

Last year, Republic Edinburgh held an action packed Republic Day, conducting playful dinosaur-themed outreach and finishing the day with an excellent stunt outside the palace of Holyroodhouse!

Since Republic Day last year, the Edinburgh Republic group has gone from strength to strength holding two protests in response to visit from the royals to Scotland, conducting numerous outreach events, and planning and organising further action. 

With support for the monarchy falling rapidly in Scotland and the republican movement growing, we know the monarchy is in trouble. 

In 2025, alongside Republic Day events in London and Cardiff, Republic Edinburgh will be returning for one of their biggest events of the year, holding a large rally with an exciting programme of speakers on May 10th in collaboration with Our Republic.

The rally will take place on Calton Hill from 2-4pm.

Pledge to be there TODAY.

Speakers

Maggie Chapman

Maggie Chapman is a North East MSP with the Scottish Green Party. She is a fierce human rights campaigner, beginning her political career in anti-war campaigning and now acting as the Equalities, Human Rights and Social Justice Spokesperson for the Scottish Greens. A staunch advocate for participative democracy, she truly believes a fairer, kinder Scottish Republic is possible. In her spare time Maggie plays the violin, fiddle and accordion, and enjoys walking and cycling throughout Scotland. 

Lesley Riddoch

Lesley Riddoch is an award-winning broadcaster, podcaster, journalist, author, cyclist, land reform campaigner & lover of all things Nordic. She is one of Scotland’s best-known commentators, with programmes on B

BC2, Channel 4, Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland, and has won two Sony speech broadcaster awards. Lesley was Assistant Editor of the Scotsman and edited the paper when it became the Scotswoman on International Women’s Day 1995, was part of the start-up team for the Sunday Herald and has written weekly columns for the National since its inception in 2014. 

Patrick Harvie

Patrick Harvie is Co-Leader of the Scottish Greens and has been an MSP for Glasgow since 2003. A prominent campaigner for Scottish Independence, he has led campaigns on a range of topics and issues, from asylum, civil liberties and sexual health to influencing major changes with income tax reform. 

You will also hear from Alex Staniforth, Ross Mckenzie, Emma Roddick, Peter McColl, Malini Chakrabarty, Jemma Campbell, George Gunn and more performers and musicians - more info to follow soon!

Music

Rue Cooper

Rue Cooper is a singer and songwriter based in Edinburgh. Classic gospel melodic influences are evident in Rue’s style as an emerging vocalist bringing a reimagined, unique take on Soul, Pop, and R’n’b to Edinburgh and beyond.

Want to volunteer at Republic Day in Edinburgh 2025?

Our volunteers had a fantastic time at our Republic Day event in 2024, getting to know and work with other Republic members and activists.

Promote the day: Download, share or print the Edinburgh Republic Day flyer!

Will you join them at Republic Day in Edinburgh 2025? 

There is a role for everyone at Republic Day in Edinburgh, so if you are interested get involved by joining the Republic Edinburgh Local Group below!

REPUBLIC EDINBURGH LOCAL GROUP CHAT