Environmental action group Friends of the Earth presented a 10ft pro-fracking puppet named Mr Frackhead at the Scottish Parliament today.
The puppet made the stop on his tour of the UK looking for places to frack for shale gas and posed for pictures at places including Holyrood and Arthurs Seat.
The protest group said Holyrood is one of many areas in central and southern Scotland that fall within areas on offer in the 14th round of onshore oil and gas licensing.
Mary Church, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Unconventional gas is unsafe, unnecessary and unwanted.
“Evidence from the USA and Australia where fracking has been going on for some years links very serious public health impact to the industry.
“Going after a new source of fossil fuel in the context of the latest climate science is simply irresponsible and unnecessary in a country blessed with abundant renewable energy resources.
“Communities across Scotland are already fighting unconventional gas developments, but this latest round of licensing puts even more homes in the firing line.
“The UK Government is ignoring massive public opposition in its reckless dash for gas while the industry resorts to bribes in an effort to foist fracking on communities.
“We urge MSPs and the Scottish Government to listen to concerns of the Scottish people and to use their existing powers to prevent the advance of unconventional gas fracking in Scotland.”
Mr Frackhead is making his tour of the UK ahead of arriving at Downing Street on Global Frackdown Day on Saturday, October 11.
However Energy Voice, previously reported on how more than half of Britons think the UK should explore fracking’s potential.
Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKOOG, said at the time: “More than four out of five of us heat our homes with gas, and Britain’s shale resource gives us the opportunity to become less dependent on foreign energy supplies, create tens of thousands of jobs and support our manufacturing industries.
“Shale gas and renewables are complementary, and our survey confirms that the public would like to see a balanced mix that includes both sources of energy. Whilst these results are positive, our industry needs to continue to do all it can to listen to and engage with the views of local communities.”
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