First Minister welcomes Taylor Swift to Scotland and praises ‘Loch Tay Tay’

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has welcomed Taylor Swift to the country as she arrives for three concerts in Edinburgh – and encouraged her to visit “Loch Tay Tay”.

The loch was renamed by Heart Scotland radio to welcome the US pop star, who will perform at Murrayfield Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The sold-out shows are the first UK dates in The Eras tour.

Mr Swinney, who represents Perthshire North, including the Loch Tay area, extended the welcome to so-called Swifties – who he said would be “exhilarated by her presence in Scotland”.

The SNP leader said he was “so thrilled” that the loch had been temporarily renamed after Swift.

Mr Swinney said: “The first thing I want to say to Taylor and to all of her Swifties is they’re really really welcome here in Scotland.

“I’m so thrilled and the fact that Loch Tay is being renamed Loch Tay Tay is just fabulous.

“I speak as someone who represents Loch Tay, who loves Loch Tay, who’s got the privilege of representing the area, to say an extra special welcome to Taylor, to Scotland.

“I really hope she has the chance to go and see Loch Tay – or should I say Loch Tay Tay – which is the most beautiful part of Scotland.

“She’ll get a really warm welcome here and I know all of the Swifties will be so exhilarated by her presence in Scotland.”

Some social media users were not impressed by the video.

One person wrote on Twitter, formerly known as X: “I vote SNP but this is up there with the time Nicola banned music.”

Another wrote: “This is genuinely one of the most humiliating moments in Scottish history.”

A third person added: “This message is more important than intervening in the 19-month pay dispute within Further Education which has led to 12 days and counting off strike action?”