The old mill chimney still stands tall over the high street in Lochee, a Dundee neighborhood once famous worldwide for its jute industry. This “village within a city,” as residents call it, recently made global headlines again when Elon Musk spread anti-immigrant misinformation about an incident involving a 12-year-old girl who was charged with carrying offensive weapons.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney accused the billionaire owner of X of harming community unity after he shared widely circulated footage of the event. Police later confirmed that a man and a woman had been charged.
A month on, locals are still dealing with the fallout. Far-right figures like Tommy Robinson hailed the “Dundee girl” as a hero, creating memes comparing her to Braveheart, while mainstream media labeled the area “Scotland’s Bronx,” focusing on tower blocks “stuffed with addicts and migrants.”
What these sensational takes left out is that the online storm capped off a summer of tragedy for Lochee—one where community spirit, not division, has been the real story.
In early July, Dr. Fortune Gomo, a 39-year-old scientist from Zimbabwe and Dundee University graduate, was found fatally injured on the street in a rare brutal killing for the area. Later that month, Gary Kelly, a popular local teenager and ice hockey champion, fell to his death while on holiday in Ibiza.
“It’s been a really sad time for Lochee, but it’s also shown the community at its best,” says Heather Henry, chair of the Love Lochee community group. “Despite the tragedy and negative press, there’s an amazing spirit here. We’ve seen so much love and support for the affected families over the past month.”
Henry sums up Musk’s involvement in one word: “Clickbait. People have said, ‘This is not who we are.’ But you have to come here to see it.”
What also went unnoticed globally are the persistent efforts of volunteers, many of them women, tackling Lochee’s challenges on the ground. The colorful murals brightening the side streets were commissioned by Henry’s group. Kayley, who grew up in Lochee and was shopping with her mom, appreciates the art but wants action on sky-high rents that have left once-thriving independent shops empty.
At the top of the hill, a group of street drinkers gathers on a bench, but Kayley notes that local initiatives—including a new drop-in center for addicts—have reduced antisocial behavior from drug users. She praises the community hub across the street.
Councillor Siobhan Tolland gives a quick tour of community projects: the library offering a warm space for a cup of tea in winter, a food bank struggling to meet demand, and a community garden with a laden apple tree. “There’s a lot of poverty in Lochee, and life isn’t easy,” she says. “After Musk’s comments, there was a sense of ‘don’t put us down.'”
While police said Dr. Gomo’s attack was not believed to be racially motivated, her death prompted women from all backgrounds to speak more openly about a recent shift in the mood on Dundee’s streets.You can register at any time. For details on how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha for website security, and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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At the Dundee International Women’s Centre, both service users and staff have noticed an increase in hostile looks, tutting, and racist remarks—coming from both children and adults.
Project leader Asma Hussein works with local colleges to educate young people about hate and misinformation. She describes students repeating rumors such as immigrants “coming over here and raping our girls.” She plans to use the ‘Dundee girl’ case as a study, noting, “Everyone focused on the weapons, not what was happening behind it.”
This aggression isn’t limited to recent migrants. On the high street, Joanne Wodkowska, a Polish vintage shop owner who has lived in Scotland for 17 years, recalls her shop being attacked last year by children throwing eggs and using anti-Polish slurs. Earlier this year, a white Scottish customer walked out, telling her, “I’m not buying clothes from someone who doesn’t speak English.”
Last Saturday, an anti-immigration protest held on the other side of Dundee drew a few hundred demonstrators and counter-protesters. The event ended with nothing more serious than angry chanting and egg-throwing.
In Lochee, there is a strong desire to focus on inclusivity following the events of the summer, says Tolland. “Lochee has a history of immigration, from the Irish who came to work in the mills to the New Scots who arrived this century. Some of us were genuinely worried that Elon Musk might incite violence here, and it’s a credit to the people of Lochee that they didn’t take the bait. They should be proud of their resistance.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the community of Lochee in Dundee and their response to Elon Musks remarks
General Beginner Questions
1 What did Elon Musk say about Lochee
Elon Musk made a dismissive remark on social media implying that Lochee was not a place of significance in response to a post about a local community project
2 Who are the people of Lochee
They are the residents of Lochee a historic and proud district in the city of Dundee Scotland known for its strong community ties and industrial heritage
3 How did the people of Lochee react
Instead of getting angry or defensive they responded with humor pride and a positive showcase of their community spirit highlighting what makes Lochee special
4 What is community spirit
Community spirit is the sense of belonging mutual support and shared identity that binds the people in a neighborhood or town together
5 Why is this story getting attention
Its a classic David vs Goliath story where a large powerful figure made a negative comment and a small tightknit community responded with overwhelming positivity and unity which people find inspiring
Deeper Advanced Questions
6 What does this event tell us about modern community resilience
It shows that resilience isnt just about weathering economic hardship its also about confidently defending your identity against external negativity with unity and selfbelief
7 Were there any specific actions taken by the community after the remarks
Yes locals and community leaders used the spotlight to promote local businesses share positive stories on social media using hashtags like LocheeLoves and reinforce existing community projects
8 What are the common stereotypes about areas like Lochee and how did this response challenge them
Areas with industrial pasts are often stereotyped as deprived or rough Lochees response challenged this by controlling the narrative and showcasing its pride heritage and strong social fabric instead
9 Can a negative comment from a celebrity actually benefit a community
In this case yes It provided a global platform that the community leveraged to its advantage generating positive publicity fostering even greater local pride and potentially attracting visitors and support
10 What can other communities learn from Lochees example
They can learn that
