IT might not sound like the most stirring memorial to the fight for Scottish independence.
But a recreation of an old portable office, surrounded by a few lonely campaigners huddling round a fire, could be the latest monument to be created in Edinburgh.
It is intended as a tribute to the old, worn-out building which sat on Regent Road f
or five years, acting as the headquarters for the Democracy for Scotland Vigil.
The plan is the brainchild of one of the original campaigners, 67-year-old Ian Thomson, who has submitted a planning application to create a permanent reminder of the vigil on Regent Road.
The proposals would see a metal and stone mural recreate the outline of the vigil's old portable office, along with silhouetted figures of some of the campaigners huddled over a fire.
Mr Thomson, from Airdrie, said he wanted to create the memorial as a thank-you to all the ordinary people who took part in the vigil.
"There are statues and memorials to all sorts of generals and admirals who did some pretty questionable things, so why should there not be a fitting tribute to the people who stood up for what they believed in?" he said.
"It will be something to remember the vigil, as it was a very important part of the campaign for a Scottish Parliament – and hopefully it would cost a lot less than the parliament did."
The vigil was started in 1992, after the Conservative general election victory. A handful of people decided to hold a one-night protest on Regent Road, near to old the Royal High School, at one time seen as the natural home of a Scottish Parliament.
They were joined by others who agreed to keep the vigil going, and over the following weeks, months and years more people became involved, manning the area 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The vigil ended following the devolution vote, on September 11, 1997, and local residents who took part in the vigil were delighted to hear about the memorial plans.
Writer Stuart McHardy, 61, of Brunswick Street, was involved in the vigil from the very first day.
He said: "We were all really angry after the election results and so we camped out on Regent Road, and it just sprang up from there.
"It is important to put a marker on Regent Road, where the vigil was held, as there is no doubt it was a significant force in getting Scotland a parliament, and that should be remembered."
Gillian Grant, 49, a civil servant from Jeffrey Street, was another long-term campaigner who spent more than 100 days on the vigil.
She said the memorial would help people remember what they achieved.
She said: "It was incredible – people would help out by giving us fish suppers, or money, and there was always someone manning the vigil."
The planning application is likely to be considered by the council in the coming months, with the campaigners set to begin fundraising if it is approved.
Weblinks:The Scottish ParliamentEdinburgh City Council