They pose a real threat and must be taken seriously

Fantasists recruit hundreds to drills and brainwashing in the Highlands

-  MARK MCGIVERN

HUNDREDS of Scots have signed up for the UK's far-right "fight club", which twists the nation's history to stir up racial unrest.

The Active Club Scotland is a copycat of similar ventures in the US and Europe, which have been condemned for promoting white supremacist principles, backed up by macho physical training drills.

The Scottish club has held several meet-ups at gyms in central Scotland and field trips to glens in the Highlands where groups of young white men discuss the legacy of Robert the Bruce and mythical events in history.

The group, which adopts the Active Club mantra of a white "warrior spirit", has posed in menacing balaclavas on the Telegram social media platform, urging others to join their grim band.

Members, who refer to themselves as "nationalists", practise mixed martial arts and boxing, stripping off shirts to take each other on and pose for triumphant photos.

Launched this spring, Active Club Scotland boasts: "We are Active Club Scotland, Scotland's first and only Active Club currently operating in the ancient lands of Caledonia.

"We are here to promote our culture, race and nation to show our European brothers in the struggle that someone is holding the torch and flying the banner amongst the vast glens, highlands and islands of our great ancient nation.

"We are not about politicking or engaging in the current nonsense plaguing the right in our nation, the soul aim is to create a strong band of brothers to tribe and train. We don't do active recruitment and are a semiclosed group but we shall use this page to share our nation's story and embrace the shared struggle of the European race across the world."

The group, which has more than 400 signed up, has been condemned by the anti-fascist group Hope not Hate.