One of the most consistent messages I heard on the streets of Oban was that people feel misled by the 2014 “Better Together” campaign. Promises of “Devo Max” and continued EU membership were held up as reasons to vote No, but neither promise was kept. The UK’s departure from the EU, despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to Remain (62%), has left many feeling betrayed and disenfranchised.

This isn’t just anecdotal frustration, it’s backed by government analysis. The Scottish Government’s Building a New Scotland paper on EU membership (which you can read here) outlines how an independent Scotland could regain its place in the EU, restoring vital rights such as freedom of movement and access to European funding. The evidence speaks for itself: rejoining the EU would bring tangible economic, social, and political benefits.

As we campaigned, it was especially uplifting to see so many young people engaged in democratic action, many for the first time. A lot of them spoke about how campaigning and getting involved in movements like YEM or Believe in Scotland had improved their mental health. Feeling heard, being part of something bigger, and having agency in shaping your future are powerful tools for wellbeing. This is exactly why I encourage everyone under 35 to join YEM and be part of our campaign to rejoin the EU. At a time when so many young adults feel disenfranchised and are struggling with poor mental health, collective action can be beneficial for all of us.

Oban, like many parts of Scotland, lives and breathes the EU’s founding motto: United in Diversity. It was heartwarming to meet so many people from across the world who now proudly call themselves Scottish. Some had been here for decades; others arrived more recently, but all shared a love for Scotland and a belief that it belongs in Europe.

I was deeply moved by the warmth of the local community. I was kept well-fed by lovely people offering sandwiches and watermelon slices, and I felt genuinely welcomed, not just as a visitor, but as someone standing up (well, sitting down ♿😉) for a shared vision of hope and inclusion. As Kate Forbes rightly said, “we are a small country that depends on migration.” An independent Scotland in the EU would have the powers to ensure migration remains a strength, not a political scapegoat.

Another key theme that emerged again and again was Scotland’s energy wealth, and how little benefit we see from it under the current UK system. As the CEO of Octopus Energy recently stated, with regional pricing, Scotland would have the cheapest energy in Europe (if not free). Yet under Westminster control, we are charged some of the highest prices in Europe, with renewables linked to volatile gas markets.

This isn’t just inefficient, it’s unfair and cruel. Westminster cuts to Winter Fuel Payments is unnecessarily pushing vulnerable people in Scotland into fuel poverty. Independence and EU membership would allow us to take control of our resources, drive a just transition, and invest in a greener, fairer economy that puts people first.

While some we spoke to still had questions about independence, it was striking how those opposed to it rarely offered reasons, just dismissals like “It’ll never happen.” There was no substantive case against independence, only nostalgia or emotional ties to the concept of the UK. Meanwhile, over 100 people signed the Declaration of Independence in Oban that day, including myself calling on the United Nations to recognise Scotland’s right to self-determination. That’s not apathy, that’s people ready and desperate for meaningful change.

What struck me most was a comment from a Believe in Scotland volunteer who was delighted to see men engaging with our leaflets on empowering women. It reminded me of YEM’s own campaign, Break the Silence to End the Violence, which tackled gender-based violence across the EU and UK. Social justice and EU values go hand in hand, and they’re deeply embedded in both Pro European and Scottish independence movements.

Scotland's path back to Europe is clearer than ever: It's powered by young people, activists, and communities who believe in a better future.

If you're under 35 and want to be part of that journey, join YEM here.

If you support an independent, European Scotland, join Believe in Scotland here.