Thousands March in Edinburgh Against AI Data Centres

Approximately 6,000 people marched through Edinburgh to the Scottish Parliament on November 14 to protest the development of large-scale AI data centres across Scotland. Backed by more than 80 organizations, including trade unions and climate groups, demonstrators demanded a nationwide public consultation and a moratorium on new sites. Protesters cited concerns over environmental degradation, rising energy bills, and the impact on local communities, specifically targeting proposed developments in Chapelcross, Larbert, and Cockenzie.

The Government of Scotland has paused planning decisions until Christmas to develop new guidance on environmental impacts and community benefits. Innovation Minister Alyn Smith defended the sector, describing data centres as "the whisky bonds of the AI sector," while campaigners argued the government has prioritized private tech corporations over public interests.

The protest coincided with a Global Day of Action surrounding COP31 in Turkey. Groups such as Friends of the Earth Scotland and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland expressed alarm over the power demands of these "supersized computing factories," while Action for Protecting Rural Scotland accused the government of ignoring civil society in favor of developers.