Eight people arrested after weekend of protests across Scotland

Eight people have been arrested in connection with various offences following a weekend of protests throughout Scotland.

Members of the public took to the streets of Falkirk, Aberdeen and Edinburgh on both Saturday and Sunday.

In the North East, an anti-immigration protest and a counter-demonstration took place outside Aberdeen council building Marschial College.

Officers charged a man, aged 40, in connection with threatening and abusive behaviour after the gathering. He was due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh, demonstrators bearing signs saying ‘I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action’, sat down outside the main UK Government building on Saturday.

Prior to protests, Police Scotland warned that showing support for the organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act.

A ‘No to the Far-Right’ protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism Edinburgh, took place at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, with protestors starting to gather from 11am.

A Force For Good, in association with WeSayItPodcast, held a second Enough is Enough rally, also outside the Scottish Parliament, from 12pm on Saturday.

Two men, aged 67 and 82, were charged in connection with the Terrorism Act and a 63-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime.

All three have been released, and reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Police say the investigation into a number of offences relating to the Terrorism Act is still ongoing.

On Sunday, the Save Our Future campaign organised an anti-immigration protest outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk for the third time in a month.

A counter-protest also took place outside the hotel, which is housing asylum seekers.

Officers arrested a 17-year-old and two 41-year-old men in connection with threatening and abusive behaviour.

A 37-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with a separate matter and released without charge.