Dozens of anti-data centre groups set to march in Edinburgh as part of Europe-wide protest

A coalition of 75 organisations opposed to plans for AI data centres in Scotland is set to march in Edinburgh this month.

The demonstration, planned for 14 November, is part of a Europe-wide wave of protests called Stop Dirty Data Centres, with more than 70 demonstrations taking place in 15 countries in November.

Plans are in place to build at least 23 giant AI data centres in Scotland, including a 60-hectare (600,000 square metre), 60 megawatt site at Auchtertool.

Trade unions, anti-war groups and housing campaigners will join a march down the Royal Mile backing calls by charities for the Scottish government to publicly consult on the plans.

Action to Protect Rural Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland are among those protesting against plans for the centres, along with numerous local campaign groups, including in Dumfries & Galloway and Larbert, as well as Edinburgh.

Friends of the Earth Scotland wants to see "a proper public consultation" on AI data centre plans, Kim Pratt from the organisation said.

Ms Pratt said the movement against AI data centres "is growing day by day as people realise the threats they pose to our land, our energy and our environment".

She urged ministers to focus on "what the people of Scotland think about these proposals, and not the profits of big tech developers.

"That's why we're marching to demand a proper public consultation on these AI data centre plans before any developers can force them through."

More from Sky News:
The illegal weight-loss drug sweeping social media
Protesters break into Microsoft data centre

Claire Robertson, from Edinburgh Trades Union Council, said "the massive wealth generated by automated systems must be fairly redistributed to the society that builds it, rather than hoarded by a handful of tech billionaires".

Gordon Maloney, chairman of tenants' union Living Rent Edinburgh, demanded politicians "stand up for the people who live in Scotland and stop AI data centres being built across the country".

Scotland's public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad said the country has the chance "to get this right from the start" of what she called "an emerging industry".

Ms Goodlad said the Scottish government will publish new planning guidance on data centres before the end of the year and "people and communities can get involved and have their say about the development and use of land in their area".

"Planning authorities are also now required to notify ministers of new data centre applications, with a new planning direction also requiring an environmental impact assessment to be submitted during planning for all new data centres with a power capacity exceeding 50 megawatts."

(c) Sky News 2026: Dozens of anti-data centre groups set to march in Edinburgh as part of Europe-wide protest