Animal Rising activists arrested at Michelin-starred Cail Bruich restaurant in Glasgow

Five animal rights protesters have been arrested following a sit-in at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Glasgow on Saturday night.

Members of Animal Rising occupied tables at Cail Bruich protesting that it “does not cater to vegans”.

The demonstration in Glasgow was one of a series of similar protests at restaurants across the UK by the group, which also disrupted the Grand National horse races at Aintree and Ayr.

It is understood that the high-end restaurant was allegedly targeted due to its “meat-heavy menu”.

Cail Bruich’s tasting menu starts at £140 per person.

The protesters entered the restaurant shortly before 8pm and sat at occupied tables which were reserved for customers and held placards showing conditions inside UK farms.

A spokesperson for the group said: “How we currently treat intelligent, feeling animals and our beautiful countryside is not reflective of who we want to be as a society. We can have a safe, secure food system that feeds everyone without the need to harm animals or devastate nature.

“We can do so much better than places like Cail Bruich that serve excessively expensive meals and refuse to cater for vegans in the midst of our cost of living and environmental crises.”

Police were called to the premises shortly before 8pm and asked the group to leave.

When the protesters refused, five people were arrested.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.55pm on Saturday, May 20, 2023, officers were called to a business address on Great Western Road, Glasgow following reports of a peaceful protest within.

“The group were given advice and asked to leave the premises. When they refused, five people were arrested and removed.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

Other luxury restaurants in Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Lancaster, and London have also been the location of “sit-ins” by supporters of Animal Rising, including Salt Bae’s flagship London restaurant that serves steak coated in gold costing upwards of £700 each.