POLICE dealt with revellers gathering at Edinburgh Castle to see in the new year despite warnings to stay at home amid rising coronavirus cases.
The traditional street party and midnight fireworks in the city were cancelled, but some people still headed to the castle and Calton Hill to bring in the bells.
According to reports, people at the castle sang and danced before being dispersed when police arrived.
All of mainland Scotland is in the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions, banning indoor visiting and more than six people from two households meeting outdoors.
Police Scotland had warned people in advance against Hogmanay gatherings which could break current restrictions and potentially spread the virus further, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots to mark the end of 2020 at home.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman 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.”
Last year’s Hogmanay street party had around 100,000 visitors, with live performances from Idlewild and Mark Ronson in Princes Street Gardens.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel