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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Dani Garavelli

Nigel Farage was once run out of Edinburgh. Now Scottish voters are embracing his rabble-rousing

Protesters outside the former Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk in August 2025
Protesters outside the former Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk in August 2025. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

Almost 13 years ago, at a press briefing to launch Ukip’s first Scottish byelection campaign, Nigel Farage was run out of Edinburgh by jeering protesters. Back then, Ukip’s support was running at nearly 25% in the English local elections, and less than 1% in Scotland.

On Saturday, Farage will venture back across the border to host a sold-out Reform UK campaign event in Falkirk, a town which has recently seen angry demonstrations outside a hotel hosting asylum seekers.

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