Edinburgh residents have been left confused over the return of Silent Disco Tours to the city's Old Town streets.
Writer and presenter David Weinzcok shared an image of a tour on Twitter with the caption: "Almost couldn't believe it, but the 'silent' disco tours are back in Edinburgh.
"Several dozen tightly packed people, masks optional, clogging up Old Town pavements as Scotland's COVID numbers rise. How is this allowed Edinburgh Council?
"Irresponsible doesn't begin to describe it."
David also told Edinburgh Live: "I'd like to emphasise that I'm all for activities reopening responsibly and safely where possible, I've lost tons of tourism related work, but this is quite obviously not the way to do it."
In the image, a large group of individuals on a Silent Adventures tour can be seen within close proximity of one another - with some participants not wearing masks.
The tweet has sparked a debate as to whether the tours are safe to carry out, with one user writing: "It's insulting that awful disco tours can go head but theatre and cinema is forced to close or be severely limited!
According to Silent Adventure Tour's website, tour-goers must wear masks at all times and "If at any point our adventurers get too close to each other or with people passing by, our special yellow dark magic will dance into action."
The silent disco tour company has also been given "Good to Go" approval.
Silent Adventures told Edinburgh Live: "Yesterday was our very first soft-launch tour post-lockdown (and consisted of 13 customers comprising of 2 group bubbles).
"We constantly review and refine our procedures to ensure everything is as safe as it possibly can be and following our soft-launch this weekend, we have taken the decision to move our tour to an open park area where social distancing will be more effective.
"I would like to stress that we are a small business trying to responsibly re-launch and provide one of the few fun, safe outdoor fitness experiences for people to enjoy right now. I’m disappointed that our very first tour was received in this way by some but I’m confident that people will see that we’re reacting responsibly by modifying our route following our soft launch."
Edinburgh Live has contacted Edinburgh Council for comment.
