Elected Member Briefing - Accommodation protests

About this Briefing Note

Report by: Stefan Morkis, Team Leader, Communications

Date: 9 January 2026

Subject: Protest over accommodation for people seeking asylum

Details

Purpose

This Briefing Note provides an update for Elected Members on a planned protest outside the Station and Queen's Hotels in Perth on Saturday 10 January.

Briefing Information 

A protest and counter-protest is expected to take place outside two Perth hotels being used to provide accommodation for people seeking asylum on Saturday, 10 January.

Organisers of the anti-asylum protest have indicated on social media they expected to be joined by protestors from Aberdeen, Falkirk and Dundee.

Perth Against Racism is organising the counter-protest and is also urging people from across Scotland to participate.

Police Scotland has put additional resources in place to deal with the protest in the event of a larger than normal turnout.

Those protesting against hotels accommodating people seeking asylum are set to meet at the South Inch Pavilion before heading to the hotels for 11am on Saturday.

Counter-protesters will be gathering outside Perth railway station at 10am on Saturday.

A multi-agency group met this week to prepare for the protest and Council officers are on stand-by to assist if necessary over the weekend.