Police Scotland's helicopter was called out on Friday evening to assist in a search for a missing person.
Numerous residents reported that the air unit was seen hovering over the west and the south west of the city late last night.
The helicopter is thought to have been overhead Edinburgh from around 10:30pm until 11:30pm, spotted in the Balgreen, Chesser, Gorgie and Merchiston areas.
One person wrote on Twitter: "Helicopter with high beam looking out for something at Balgreen #Waterofleith"
Another said: "@EdinburghPolice what’s happening with the police helicopter, circling around Chesser, corn exchange with spotlight."
Meanwhile, one user replied that they had also spotted the helicopter at Gorgie with the "spotlight", adding that they had heard "a load of sirens".
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Edinburgh Live that the helicopter was launched in response to a missing person search. However, they could provide no further details at this time.
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