Police separate protestors at Holyrood anti-immigration rally

Police kept protestors apart outside the Scottish Parliament as an anti-immigration rally sparked a counter demonstration.

Unite the Clans Scotland organised a protest at Holyrood, encouraging "patriots" to come together from across the country.

But activists from groups, including Stand Up to Racism Scotland, also staged a counter demonstration along the Royal Mile on Saturday.

There was a heavy police presence, with barriers to divide both sides, but officers said no arrests were made.

Unite the Clans supporters waved saltire and union flags.

The group, which has organised other anti-immigration protests, earlier took to social media to rally its supporters.

It said: "Whether driven by economic concerns, national identity, or the future direction of the country, those attending share a common goal - to demand answers to failed policies and to push for meaningful change."

Karen Paton, who is part of the Falkirk for All anti-racism group, was one of the counter-demonstrators.

She said: "Unite the Clans are scapegoating the wrong people.

"We need to look at the real problems in this country, which is lack of affordable housing, lack of NHS, lack of dental appointments.

"They are blaming refugees for all those - those are government problems."