Campaigners for same-sex marriage have taken to the streets to urge the Scottish Government to change the law.

The march, through the streets of Edinburgh, featured a giant Valentine's Day card to Alex Salmond bearing the message: "Roses are white, thistles are blue, we believe in equal marriage and we hope the Scottish Government will too!"

The demonstration ended with a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, with MSPs from all political parties addressing campaigners.

At the moment same-sex couples can enter into a civil partnership, but cannot get married.

The Scottish Government has already staged a consultation on whether the law should be be changed, and has said that it "tends towards the view" that same sex-marriage should be introduced, but faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnise the ceremonies.

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Equality Network, National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Scotland all took part in the march through the capital this afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the event Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said: "This Valentine's Day hundreds of equal marriage supporters from across the country will be marching on Holyrood to send a clear message to the Scottish Government; we demand full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, and we will settle for nothing less."

Grant Costello a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: "All the evidence shows the majority of Scots support marriage equality, and the historic response to the Government's consultation on same sex marriage demonstrates they are prepared to speak out for equality."

Nathan Sparling, LGBT officer for NUS Scotland LGBT Officer, said: "We'll be marching on the streets of Edinburgh celebrating love, and asking for the Scottish Government to give us another reason to celebrate by making same-sex marriage legal in Scotland."

Meanwhile Mhairi Logan McMillan, of LGBT Youth Scotland, said: "We want to ask the Scottish Government to make history by giving all Scots the right to marry the person they love, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland stated: "This Valentine's Day hundreds of young people will be making their message clear to the Scottish Government that they want to live in modern, forward thinking and fair Scotland.

"The majority of Scots support equal marriage and the Love Equally March will give young Scots the chance to say to the Government that the time is now right to say "I do" to full equality for Scotland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The consultation on same sex marriage and registration of civil partnerships closed in early December. The Government will now analyse the responses and consider what next steps to take. The analysis of the responses will be published in the spring."

IN DETAIL

• Gallery: The march in pictures