UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK chair Dr David Bull says the party will launch its own tartan, with scarves, hats, and kilts to engage Scottish supporters.
As reported by The Independent, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has revealed plans to create a unique tartan as part of efforts to appeal to Scottish voters.
What did Dr David Bull say about Reform UK’s Scottish identity plan?
At a Falkirk rally on Saturday, Reform UK chairman Dr David Bull announced plans for the party to take a key step in “enshrining” its Scottish identity, offering members scarves, hats, and kilts.
Dr Bull said.
“I am delighted to announce today we are taking an important step in enshrining Reform’s Scottish identityThanks to the enterprising and very out of the box thinking by Martin Green.
I am delighted to announce we are having our own tartan made so we can then produce scarves and hats and kilts, and so on, for our members north of the border.”
Regarding the announcement, he added that details on purchasing the items would “follow soon,” saying,
“Personally I can’t wait to address our next Scottish meeting in full Scottish dress as a true Scotsman.”
What did Nigel Farage say about migration and Scottish politics in Falkirk?
The move comes as Nigel Farage and other senior Reform figures visit Falkirk while the party prepares for the Scottish Parliament election campaign.
Falkirk has seen regular anti-immigration demonstrations outside the Cladhan Hotel, currently housing asylum seekers. The protests have often been organised by Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures, citing alleged crimes by residents at the Cladhan Hotel.
On Saturday, Falkirk for All, which has held counter-protests at the Cladhan, will conduct a “unity march” through the town.
Before the rally, Mr Farage said “uncontrolled migration” was changing Scottish cities “almost beyond recognition” and criticised the SNP and Labour’s “open door policies.”
He stated,
“Today, I will be in Scotland at a sold-out Reform UK rally in Falkirk, speaking to Scottish people who have had enough of all this. Falkirk has become a symbol of Scotland’s anger over the asylum crisis.”
The Reform leader said,
“Scottish politics is now a straight fight between the SNP, the party of the old establishment, and Reform – the party of radical change. The old system is broken.”
Mr Farage added,
“The public know it, and they have had enough. Those in the Scottish Parliament who express astonishment at the rise of Reform should try to answer this question: after 26 years of SNP and Labour rule in Scotland, how has life in this proud nation changed for the better?”
What did John Swinney say about Nigel Farage?
Ahead of the rally, Scottish First Minister John Swinney accused Nigel Farage of seeking to “whip up hate.”
He said,
“Nigel Farage has no interest in people in Falkirk or anywhere else in Scotland. Farage needs to understand that communities in Scotland are not props to be used in his political games.”
Mr Swinney added,
“What the far right do is to apportion the blame for those concerns to asylum seekers or migrants and I think that is the root of the poison that Farage and his cohorts are spreading within Scotland.”
His comments come after a year marked by a notable shift in Scottish politics, as Mr Farage’s party received 26% in its first Holyrood byelection test.
Mr Farage’s popularity now surpasses Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s, highlighting tensions in Scotland over asylum hotels and the country’s promoted welcoming image.
Ahead of the SNP’s Holyrood election, Mr Swinney said he expected Reform UK to win seats in May, with polls suggesting a high-teens haul.
The First Minister declined to comment on whether the SNP might ally with Labour to block Reform UK, but said he would not work with Reform and aimed for a majority.
When will the Scottish parliament elections be held?
The Scottish election is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 7 May 2026. The Parliament is expected to be dissolved on 9 April 2026 ahead of the vote.
The SNP is expected to win around 61 seats, down from 64. Scottish Labour could secure about 18 seats, while Reform UK may gain 17 seats. The Scottish Tories are projected to fall to around 12 seats.