Edinburgh police are gearing up for an anti-lockdown protest in Holyrood Park next weekend as man, 65, arrested and fined after gathering on Saturday

Police are gearing up for an anti-lockdown protest in Holyrood Park next weekend, after one man was arrested during a demonstration on Saturday.

The Scotland Against Lockdown Rally is expected to take place on Saturday, December 5 between 12:30pm and 3:30pm, according to another notice being shared online.

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

"Should we be required to investigate any potential breaches of quarantine regulations then officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance.

An anti-mask demonstrator at a previous march at Holyrood.

"We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation."

It comes after anti-lockdown protesters held a demonstration ceilidh outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday which led to a 65-year-old man being arrested and fined at St Leonard’s Police Station.

A number of people taking part in the protest gathered outside St Leonard’s Police Station and were dispersed by officers.

Inspector Norman Towler said: “The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, only using enforcement as a last resort."

More than 150 people were also arrested during anti-lockdown protests in London’s West End yesterday.

The Metropolitan Police said it has been a “challenging day” for officers who made arrests for a number of different offences, including breaching coronavirus restrictions, assaulting a police officer and illegal drugs.

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