It is "understandable" that people are protesting outside of hotels housing asylum seekers, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives has said.
Anti-immigration protests have been held across Scotland this month, including Aberdeen, with officials raising fears that the events could turn violent.
But, Russell Findlay insisted that "lawful" demonstrations were "entirely reasonable".
He told BBC Scotland News: "I think as long as that's being done lawfully and respectfully that is entirely right and they have the right to protest."
He said any unlawful activity "should be dealt with robustly by the police and the courts".
Campaign group Stand up to Racism Scotland accused Findlay of scapegoating refugees.
They said the protests were designed to "intimidate people who have fled war, poverty or prosecution".
A spokesperson said: "We condemn Findlay's attempts to point the blame for the problems affecting working-class people today away from those responsible, and instead to scapegoat migrants and refugees."