Just 44 street parties were held in Scotland to celebrate King Charles’ coronation, compared to more than 3,000 in England, prompting claims that Scotland has “fallen out of love” with the monarchy.
Republican politicians and campaigners claimed the small number of street parties north of the border was evidence that the monarchy is “archaic, antiquated and increasingly irrelevant” in Scotland.
But the Scottish Conservatives argued that the monarchy was “still deeply loved and widely respected in Scotland.” The debate comes ahead of the King’s visit to Edinburgh next week.
Data obtained by The Ferret from Scotland’s 32 local authorities via freedom of information shows that not a single request to hold a street event in May was made in 18 council areas.
The 44 Scottish events compare to 3,087 road closures reportedly approved by councils in England for coronation street parties.
Where were Scotland’s street parties?
| Local Authority | Closed Road |
|---|---|
| City of Edinburgh Council | Allan Park Crescent |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Hamilton Drive West |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Ulster Gardens |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Upper Ormidale Terrace |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Murrayfield Drive |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Campbell Avenue |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Denham Green Place |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Ravelston House Grove |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Blinkbonny Avenue |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Corstorphine Park Gardens |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Buckstone Road |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | B6357 between Canonbie Public Hall and Cross Keys Hotel (Lantern Parade) |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Maplebank Loaning, Dumfries |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Church Crescent, Dunscore |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Dunreggan Brae, High Street, Chapel Street (Parade of Crowns) |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Balliol Court, Auchencairn |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | Shore Street, Drummore |
| Moray Council | High Street, Buckie |
| Moray Council | Reidhaven Street, Elgin |
| Moray Council | The Square/Balvenie Street/Station Road, Dufftown |
| Moray Council | Link road between Commercial Street/Jubilee Terrace, Findochty |
| Perth and Kinross Council | The Nurseries, St Madoes |
| Perth and Kinross Council | Nursery Terrace, Perth |
| Perth and Kinross Council | South St John’s Place, Perth |
| Perth and Kinross Council | B827 Dalginross, Comrie |
| Scottish Borders Council | D3-4 Blainslie |
| Scottish Borders Council | Eyemouth Road, Burnmouth – at the Village Hall |
| Scottish Borders Council | Market Square, Duns – Car Parking area at Mercat Cross |
| Scottish Borders Council | Victoria Street, Galashiels – from Gala Park to Lintburn Street |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Market Place Area, Inverurie |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Forest Road, Kintore |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Braehead Crescent, Stonehaven |
| Fife Council | The Cross, Auchtermuchty |
| Fife Council | Balgonie Place, Markinch |
| Highland Council | A836, Castletown |
| Highland Council | Castle Street, Thurso |
| Midlothian Council | Lugton Brae, Dalkeith |
| Midlothian Council | Blackhall Terrace, Penicuik |
| Aberdeen City Council | Baillieswells Terrace, Cults |
| Dundee City Council | Hawick Drive |
| East Renfrewshire Council | Mid Road, Eaglesham |
| Glasgow City Council | Nottingham Avenue |
| South Ayrshire Council | Carrick Park, Ayr |
| West Lothian Council | Millbank Square, Whitburn |
Six road closures were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway – two of which were for parades – four each in the Scottish Borders, Moray and Perth and Kinross, while three were held in Aberdeenshire – where the royals own Balmoral and Birkhall estates.
Two street parties were held each in Fife, Highland and Midlothian, while six councils – including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee – held just one each.
The Ferret’s study follows recent polling revealing lukewarm views of the monarchy in Scotland, and support for the royals to be lower than other UK nations.
For example, an April poll by YouGov found that nearly three-quarters of people in Scotland did not care about the coronation.
Less than half thought we should keep the monarchy, 40 per cent wanted an elected head of state instead and 14 per cent did not know. More had a negative view of the royals than a positive one.
SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said: “This is a tiny number of coronation street parties and demonstrates the indifference of most people in Scotland towards the coronation and the royal family.”
The Ferret’s findings “strengthen the case for a review and to move to a democratically elected head of state,” he claimed.
Green MSP Ross Greer said: “We are in the worst cost-crisis for generations, so it is no wonder that so few people wanted to take to the streets to celebrate the wealth and privilege of a single family.
“The British monarchy is an archaic, antiquated and increasingly irrelevant institution. It is incompatible with a commitment to equality or democracy. That’s why more and more people are rejecting it with every passing day.”
The Republic campaign group said: “Clearly Scotland has fallen out of love with the monarchy, as has been borne out in the polls. I’m sure we’ll see this again very clearly when protesters greet Charles and Camilla in Edinburgh next week.”
Scottish Tory MSP, Alexander Stewart, accused Sheppard and Greer of “grasping at straws to try and further their separatist agenda”. “It is shameful that the SNP insist on politicising Royal celebrations, such as King Charles’ III coronation, which was a historic, meaningful moment for the United Kingdom,” he said.
“The outpouring of grief at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the warm welcome many monarchs continue to receive when visiting Scotland are just a few examples of how much the monarchy means to Scots.
“Regardless of what republicans in the SNP and Greens may try to claim, our monarchy is still deeply loved and widely respected in Scotland.”
Buckingham Palace did not respond to requests to comment.
Header image credit: HM Government published under the Open Government Licence v1.0
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