Pro-independence campaigners camped outside the Scottish Parliament have been given 48 hours to quit their camp.
The group had pledged to stay in situ until Scotland separated from the rest of the UK but Sheriff’s officers visited the site and posted a legal notice, giving them notice that they must leave by Thursday afternoon.
People’s Voice, who have set up a caravan and several tents, said they intended to ignore the notice.
In a letter to MSPs, Holyrood’s chief executive Paul Grice said: “There are many ways groups and individuals can engage with the Parliament and make their views known. However, the occupation of a public space on an exclusive basis and to the exclusion of others is not a precedent that the Corporate Body wishes to see established.
“In addition, the presence of a permanent camp advocating a particular position is at odds with our policy on the use of parliamentary resources under which we aim to maintain a politically neutral position.
“While our strong preference was to resolve the issue through mutual agreement it is clear that we must consider alternative routes to return this land to public use. We have been in discussions with our legal advisers and now believe we have sufficient grounds to pursue a legal remedy to the situation.”