HOLYROOD bosses are seeking legal advice in a bid to kick protesters who set up a nearby camp and vowed to stay until Scotland becomes independent off public land.

The group of around a dozen activists arrived outside the Scottish Parliament at the weekend and said a permanent presence would be maintained until it was assured that Scotland would break away from the UK.

While they insist that they are within their rights to remain on the land as long as they wish, the Scottish Parliament has taken a different view, expressing concerns over sanitation and that others are being denied use of the area due to the camp. The handful of campers, who have pitched around five tents, have told journalists they are using toilets at Holyrood Palace, the Parliament and at a nearby Starbucks.

In a letter to MSPs, Paul Grice, the Scottish Parliament's chief executive, said that the group had been told that camping on the land was not allowed but they had "declined to consider alternative options and indicated that they plan to camp indefinitely on Parliament land."

While emphasising that the parliament recognised the importance of peaceful protest, he added: "Their prolonged presence could also act as a draw for others with the same, or differing views, thus exacerbating the situation... We are monitoring the situation and taking legal advice on the avenues open to the Corporate Body to return the land to public use.

"Until the matter is resolved we will continue to work with the protestors through Police Liaison to monitor issues round health and safety, particularly in relation to the use of power and sanitation, and to minimise any damage caused to the land."

Organisers have said the camp is intended to keep up the momentum for independence and highlight what they see as a betrayal over the pre-referendum pledges of further powers for Scotland. It was inspired by a similar five-year vigil ahead of the devolution referendum of 1997.

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, when asked whether she had a message for the group at a press conference on Tuesday, replied: "wrap up warm."