Taylor Swift rejects gift from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, sparking backlash over council spending

Taylor Swift’s rejection of a $1,250 gift sparks backlash against Edinburgh City Council’s spending priorities.

Taylor Swift declined a $1,250 custom gift from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, during her sold-out concerts in Scotland. According to Marca, the elaborate gift included bespoke tartan guitar straps worth £500 each and a luxury hamper with local items like Edinburgh Gin and a selection of whiskies. The gesture aimed to secure a meeting or photocall with Swift and encouraged her to wear one strap on stage and sign the other for charity.

Despite these efforts, Swift’s team did not respond, leaving the items at the venue gates. Swift used her signature black strap on stage and did not acknowledge the gift. Edinburgh City Council now plans to auction the unsigned guitar strap for charity, but the gesture has sparked criticism for its use of public funds.

The expenditure, revealed through Freedom of Information requests, came from the council’s marketing budget, prompting backlash from local residents and political figures. Independent councillor Ross McKenzie criticized the council’s priorities, suggesting the funds could have been better used to address housing and care issues. This controversy adds to existing challenges for Edinburgh City Council, which is led by a minority Labour group and recently dealt with a scandal involving its leader, Cammy Day.

A source close to Swift’s performances explained that her team likely rejected the gift to avoid setting a precedent for similar gestures in other cities. While the council’s intentions were to celebrate Swift’s presence, the event highlighted a disconnect between its actions and residents’ pressing needs.

While the tartan guitar straps remain unused, the incident underscores growing discontent with the council’s leadership and raises broader questions about resource allocation. Taylor Swift’s story may center on "Love Stories," but this gesture left Edinburgh’s leadership out of tune.