Anti-terror barriers have been put in place outside the Christmas market in Edinburgh city centre.
The Edinburgh Christmas markets are attracted hundreds of people with queues building up during peak times, and with just weeks before Hogmanay, the city is expected to become busier.
With this, new 'hostile vehicle mitigation measures' have been placed between Waverley Bridge and East Princes Street gardens where crowds of people are expected to gather.
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This is similar to the measures put in place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the summer. The Christmas markets have seen huge crowds since they opened on November 25, with punters reporting that the queues that snaked around Princes Street Gardens were similar to what is seen at Disneyland.
Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “As a Capital city and a major destination for festivals and events, appropriate measures are put in place every year to ensure the security of our crowded places.
"We were the first Council to devise and develop our own protection system, which is always reviewed and revised. We continue to listen to feedback from the public, evaluate the initiative and make any changes as required. These new ones were put in place following feedback from the public. These measures are simply a precaution and shows our commitment to putting public safety first.”
This is the first time since 2020 where there have been no covid restrictions at the Christmas markets. Last year, while it was open, the organisers limited numbers and suggested visitors wear masks. They were also required to complete a track and trace form on their phone.
Before the pandemic, 2.6 million people were recorded to have attended the Edinburgh Christmas market in 2019.
Back in 2018, 'hostile vehicle mitigation measures' were erected on the Royal Mile after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said performers had pulled out shows in 2017 due to feeling unsafe.
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