‘Glasgow Secret Raves’ Instagram account advertising lockdown-breaking parties

Organisers of “secret raves” in Glasgow which sparked fury on social media have insisted they would not break coronavirus lockdown rules.  

An Instagram account called Glasgow Secret Raves began posting information on Thursday, promising anyone who shared their posts would be allowed into the parties, apparently due to be held at “undisclosed locations” across the city on Saturday 7 November.  

Hundreds of Glaswegians shared the messages, with many expressing excitement at the prospect despite the worsening Covid situation.  

“What will you be doing on the 7 November?” one post from the account asked. “Walking about with an Asda bag over your head scared of the world, wrapping up with a hot chocolate like your 80-years-old, [or] raving your socks off to some of the best local DJs around?”

But others reacted with anger at the prospect, accusing the organisers of risking a surge in coronavirus cases.

Glasgow is currently in Scotland’s Tier 3 of lockdown restrictions, which means people are only allowed to meet socially with one other household in a group no larger than six. All leisure events and entertainment venues are also currently closed.  

Police have warned they are still having to break out house parties across Scotland every weekend, and urged the public to “do the right thing”.

“Despite overwhelming levels of co-operation and support from communities across Scotland, a small minority of people continue to host or participate in parties and gatherings,” a spokesperson for Police Scotland said.

“The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.”

But one of the organisers of the raves has said they would be attempting to minimise the risk of spreading Covid.  

“All speculation at the moment though until we get through the relevant procedures.”