A new campaign advert from the Alba Party has been slammed on social media for being 'embarrassing' and 'cringe'.
Alex Salmond's new political party released a video at 12.14am this morning on Twitter.
Scottish actor Angus MacFadyen, who played Robert the Bruce in Braveheart, produced and narrated the short clip which was also released on the party's Facebook page.
MacFadyen has backed the former First Minister's party and is urging people to vote for Alba as they attempt to create a "super-majority" in the Scottish parliament.
Speaking at the launch of the short film, MacFadyen said: "I see the emergence of ALBA as an underdog upsetting the established parties and making possible an overwhelming victory for independence at the polls.
"This depiction is ever so slightly tongue in cheek but still makes a very serious point. It is the “sma folk” or people power who hold the key to Scotland’s future. That was fact in 1314. It is true in 2021."
People took to Twitter to slam the advert, saying it was "some next level cringe."
Macfadyen tells the story of how the camp flowers of “sma folk” turned the tide of the Battle of Bannockburn by appearing at a vital moment on Gillies Hill as a fresh Scottish army.
SNP MP Pete Wishart called the advert 'embarrassing' he tweeted: "Geez! We're trying to win our independence through presenting ourselves as a progressive, modern and outward looking nation. But let's take up the rusty claymores and shout 'freeedom'. Embarrassing."
Scottish Labour councillor Stephen McCabe said: "Thought the campaign has been suspended? Watching this it looks like time has been suspended for 700 years..."
Tory candidate Branden Davy said: "I see Alba really laying into the hatred of England and harking back to *checks notes* 707 years ago."
The editor-at-large of Politics.co.uk, Ian Dunt said: "Some next level cringe right here."
Nick Ward, a director of Autism Scotland, wrote on social media: "Omg omg this is the worst party political broadcast I have ever seen!
"It actually has me rolling about! ‘unite the clans’ - what clans?! You mean the rich magnates sitting on massive estates? ‘Sma folk’ -aye 2% in the polls is pretty small! Using anti English rhetoric = gross!"
Twitter user @RyanChristie8 wrote: "One of, if not the, cringiest video I've ever seen. Well done. 'Civic & Joyous' nationalism in full display."
Advert script in full:
"Here wisdom and history.
"On the final day of battle between the forces of freedom, vastly outnumbered by those of the oppressor.
"In the year of our Lord 1314. Facing yet another defeat King Robert ordered the camp followers to Gillies Hill where they raised their home made banners. And searched for a fresh Scottish army and this demonstration of people power by the sma folk of Scotland was the straw, which broke the spine of English superiority.
"And their prime commander Edward Plantagenet fled south. I know. I was there. I am the Bruce. And here and now people power will prevail again. Alba will unite the clans."
