Refugees from Ukraine brought to Glasgow under a Scottish Government scheme said they have been made very welcome but are uncertain of their future weeks after arriving.
Many refugees are yet to be placed in permanent accommodation and are now waiting in hotels across the country.
More than 250 Ukrainian refugees who fled the Russian war on Ukraine are living at the Holiday Inn, based at Glasgow airport, unsure of where they are going to end up.
Some of the refugees say they have been given homes, while others have been placed with Scottish families.
The majority of the group remain at the hotel.
They said they are ‘extremely grateful’ for the warm Scottish welcome they have received and are enjoying day trips which have been set up to help them explore the country.
Sergiy Gorbachev, who arrived four weeks ago from Odesa, in Southern Ukraine, said: “There were about 200 refugees staying at this hotel then around 50 arrived last week.
“Some have been put up in homes with Scottish people who have welcomed them and others have been moved to flats I think.
“At first when I arrived I felt a bit lost, but then I got to experience the warm welcoming attitude of the Scottish people and I’ll be honest, I melted by the warmth surrounding us.
“At first we weren’t sure about things as we are based at a hotel by the airport with not much round about. We don’t want to just stay in hotel rooms.
“But the conditions are good. There have been tours to Loch Lomond and activities have been put on for kids.
“I’ve been to Glasgow city centre where I met people who came up to me asking where I was from and when I told them Ukraine they shook my hand saying we are welcome here.
“Everyone is doing their best.”
Sergiy, 51, a former wine waiter, added: “What was happening at home was horrible. We had to just leave our homes, with just a suitcase and go.
“It’s horrible what is happening to Ukraine and it’s amazing that Scotland has offered us refuge.
“We have not been told where we are going next and we’ve not been told anything about a ship but if that’s where to go I’m sure it will be very comfortable.
Dmytro Buhaiov, 22, is a former factory worker, from Odesa, Ukraine, who has been staying at the Holiday Inn for seven weeks.
He said: “We are so grateful to Scotland for the love and support.”
This week, a group of eight refugees, who were put up in Glasgow’s city centre were moved to their fourth hotel since arriving in Scotland earlier this month.
The group initially checked in at Glasgow’s central Premier Inn before being moved to the Radisson Blu and then to the city’s Hotel Novotel on Friday where they have been told they will remain till September.
Natalie Yareshko, 29, who fled Vasilkyv in the Kiev reign said: “We were at hotels in Glasgow city centre then moved to the Radisson Blu.
“We stayed there for three days then moved to Novotel where we have been told we will stay till September.”
