A group of pro-independence campaigners have been evicted from their camp outside the Scottish Parliament.

The group set up a "permanent vigil" in the grounds of Holyrood in November last year, vowing to stay put until Scottish independence was achieved.

The protesters' refusal to vacate the land prompted the parliament's corporate body to launch an action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Following a long and complex hearing, Lord Turnbull ruled in July that officials could proceed with "legal authority" to remove the campaigners.

He branded the actions of the group "selfish" and "arrogant".

The campaigners lodged an appeal against Lord Turnbull's ruling, but on Friday action was taken to remove them.

Large metal fences were erected around the camp area after the campaigners were moved out on Friday morning.

Gayle Miller, who was in a tent on the edge of the site when the eviction began, said: "We were all rudely woken up.

"They came, they shook it up. I had only just woken up.

"They said that they were the bailiffs and they had the right to remove everything."

She added: "How do I feel? Angry, I feel sad. Angry especially, because everybody's fundamental rights have been ripped from underneath them."

The Parliament said the camp had damaged land, which has been fenced off to allow "remedial work" to begin.

A spokesman said: "The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) have consistently requested that the protesters respect the judgement of the court and leave the Parliament estate peacefully and of their own accord.

"As a result of their continued refusal to do, the SPCB had no option but to have the camp removed today."

A police spokesman confirmed officers were in attendance to monitor the civil eviction.

Protesters opened the camp in November, 2015. The group were inspired by campaigners who maintained a vigil for Scottish devolution from 1992 until a referendum on the question was held and passed in 1997.