An anti-immigration rally in Aberdeen was met by a counter-demonstration on Sunday, with police officers separating the two groups outside Farmers Hall in the Rosemount area of the city.
The event, branded “hateful and divisive”, was organised by the Unite the Clans group, with other far-right groups such as Patriotic Alternative represented. It was held in response to recently-announced plans that could see up to 149 additional asylum seekers housed in Aberdeen.
Rival protests face off as rain falls
As rain fell, the rival protests took up positions on either side of Farmers Hall, with a line of police officers down the middle of the road ensuring they stayed apart. Chants and slogans including “Scotland for the Scots” and “deport all illegal migrants” were shouted from the anti-immigration side of the road.
A number of people on both sides wore face-coverings, and many of the anti-immigration protesters filmed continuously on mobile phones.
Politicians and anti-fascist groups condemn event
North East Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman was among those taking part in the counter-demonstration, which was organised by the Aberdeen Anti-Fascist Alliance and Aberdeen Trades Union Council. She told PA: “I believe it’s really important that we do whatever we can as people who live in Aberdeen to stand against hate, to stand against division, and to stand against the fear and scapegoating that I believe the people on the other side of the street stand for.
“As an elected representative, I think it’s very important that I show very clearly which side I’m on. I’m an anti-fascist before I’m a politician, and I think showing solidarity with anti-fascist activists is really important.”
The Scottish Greens MSP also said anti-immigration protesters had been “emboldened” by what she said was a lack of response by the authorities to previous protest activity. “We know that at times they’ve are being shining torches and hurling abuse right at people’s bedroom windows,” she said. “If I went and did that to somebody’s home, I would be lifted. I think it would be appropriate. And we’ve seen very little of of that kind of of response.
“We’ve also seen an emboldening in the narrative within our politics. Whether that’s elected representatives in the Scottish Parliament or elsewhere in the UK, and we should be using every effort we can to resist fascism, to resist the scapegoating of marginalised and migrant communities, and actually be offering something better.”
Similar protests seen across Scotland
Similar protests became a familiar sight over the past year outside hotels housing asylum seekers, with some like the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk being the focus of regular demonstrations.
An Aberdeen Anti-Fascist Alliance spokesperson said: “We believe it is more important than ever to stand as one united community in the face of hate. Regardless of your ethnic background, religion, immigration status, or any other characteristic, we are all human beings. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
Richard McFarlane, a member of Patriotic Alternative Scotland and Unite the Clans, claimed he was protesting to protect the rights of Scottish people. He told the Press Association: “I’ve come here today to support Aberdeen Against Illegal Migration and Unite the Clans because there’s plans to move 170 of these illegal migrants, just pushing their way into our country and we don’t know who they are.
“And these people have been put before Scottish people, they’ve been put to the front of the queue for everything, getting everything handed to them in a plate and our people are at last in the queue. And we’re standing here opposing it and saying ‘not at all’.”
Speaking ahead of the protest, Superintendent Simon Reid said: “We are aware of planned protest activity at Aberdeen on Sunday September 27, 2026, and a policing operation will be in place to support public safety and minimise disruption. Our role is to facilitate legitimate protest, protect the public and respond appropriately to any incidents that may arise. People have the right to express their views lawfully and we will act to keep people safe, protect communities and reduce the impact within the city.”
