Mysterious UFOs spotted in the skies above Edinburgh

Edinburgh residents were left shocked after spotting 'UFOs' in the skies.

One Leith resident spotted the mysterious beams projected above her home at around 7pm on Friday night.

Puzzled about their origin, she shared the images to a local Facebook page to ask if anyone could shed any light on what she'd seen.

The hilarious responses were enough to put a smile on the face of anyone who may have been fearing some unexpected visitors from parts unknown, or a case for Mulder and Scully.

Locals responded in their droves to her question, after she asked: "Anyone else seeing these moving lights projecting into the sky?! Video would have been better but too dark. Any ideas?"

Phil Johnston captured the mood of many, posting a tongue-in-cheek comment that said: "Definitely extra terrestrial activity. Have you notified the relevant authorities?"

Steve Gibson added: "Its aliens looking for the best chinese takeaway in Leith."

Stevie Campbell said: "We’re all screwed ET is coming for us!!"

And Angie McQueen chimed in: "UFO looking for seagull suppers!!!"

Locals were discussing what the lights could be (Cherry Martin)

It turns out a good sense of humour is something that many of Cherry's Leith neighbours share.

Paul McDougall suggested: "The Batsignal has Coronavirus."

Kevin McEwan added: "I did notice some immaculately dressed individuals, clothed in black, leaving a premises on Pitt Street. One guy looked remarkably like Will Smith."

Vikki Cavanagh said: "I seen white lasers in the sky and thought I had too many drinks, thank god someone else seen it too."

Was it a bird? was it a plane? was it a case for Mulder and Scully? (Cherry Martin)

And Drika Matos stole the impromptu comedy show by saying: "Pretty sure that was the evil manifestation of the ghosts of bodies buried under Constitution Street and disturbed by tram works, coming to get their revenge and kill us all for not knowing exactly what a baby seagull looks like! We deserve this."

Some people had some more realistic ideas of what the lights could be, asking if they could be marking the Islamic festival of Eid, which took place this week.

But the big mystery was solved when it transpired the lights had come from nearby Leith Theatre, in tribute to the start of the Edinburgh Film Festival, which was cancelled this year along with the Fringe due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Teri Turnbull spoke for us all when she added: "Hope it was eh? Got enough with COVID-19 without little space people."