Thousands March Through Edinburgh to Demand a Halt to AI Data Centres in Scotland

Updated 15 Nov 2026, 10:16 · First published 15 Nov 2026

Thousands of people marched through Edinburgh on Saturday to demand a halt to new AI data centres in Scotland. Campaigners walked from the top of the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament, backed by more than 80 groups and organisations.

Why are people protesting?

Campaigners say the huge buildings – which house the computers that power artificial intelligence – use vast amounts of energy and water, and could make it harder for Scotland to hit its climate targets.

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Friends of the Earth campaigner Kim Pratt said the Scottish public should have the final say on whether data centres are built.

How big are the plans?

Scotland’s largest existing data centre is believed to be DataVita’s 12MW site in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. A proposed development at Chapelcross in Dumfries and Galloway would have more than 83 times that capacity – making it one of the largest in the world.

What has the Scottish Government said?

The Scottish Government says it will publish new planning guidance for data centres before the end of 2026. Councils must now tell ministers about new applications, and every new data centre over 50 megawatts needs a full environmental impact assessment.

Innovation Minister Alyn Smith has described data centres as “the whisky bonds of the AI sector”.

Sources: Scottish Government, Friends of the Earth Scotland.