Crowds ignore stay-at-home warnings to celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh
Last updated 1st Jan 2021
New Year revellers ignored stay-at-home warnings to celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh last night.
Photographs show crowds gathered on Calton Hill to welcome in the New Year with a fireworks display.
A video also captured a further gathering on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, where the one o'clock gun was fired to mark the occasion.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had asked the nation to stay at home to stop the spread of the coronavirus amid concerns over a spike in cases.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were aware of gatherings at Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill around midnight on Hogmanay.
"Officers safely engaged with those in attendance and explained the current Government guidance resulting in the groups dispersing without incident."
Meanwhile police in London, Essex and Manchester have issued hundreds of fines for New Year's Eve breaches.
Police attended calls to 58 unlicensed music events and parties in breach of Tier 4 rules across London overnight.