Crowds gather at Portobello Beach on hottest day since lockdown began

Sunseekers have been pictured flocking to Portobello Beach today while Scotland's lockdown remains in force.

Pictures show people sitting and sunbathing and in the sea, but the majority appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines.

According to the Met Office, temperatures could reach 22C in the Capital today.

Pictures showed many on Portobello Beach on Wednesday.

The Scottish Government's current guidance remains to only leave home for reasons like buying food, accessing medical care, exercising close to home or carrying out 'essential' work which can not be done from home.

When outdoors, people should maintain a physical distance of two metres from people of other households.

Police officers were also pictured patrolling the beach this afternoon to ensure people were adhering to the lockdown guidance.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government's guidance is clear - people should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and medicine, for exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation, encourage compliance and will use enforcement only when necessary."