Portobello Beach was busy on Saturday as locals flocked to the seaside to enjoy the sunny weather.Portobello Beach was busy on Saturday as locals flocked to the seaside to enjoy the sunny weather.
Portobello Beach was busy on Saturday as locals flocked to the seaside to enjoy the sunny weather.

In pictures: Locals flock to Portobello Beach to soak up the Edinburgh sunshine

Huge crowds headed for Portobello Beach as the country entered its first weekend since the stay-at-home order was lifted.

With Scots now encouraged to “stay local”, hundreds were out enjoying the Easter sunshine.

Pictures showed people of all ages out for a stroll, folks sunbathing, and even some hardy souls swimming in the sea.

Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith has previously warned that large gatherings over the Easter weekend could reverse recent progress in suppressing the virus.

On Thursday, he said: “We can see by looking at Europe and other parts of the world how fragile our own position is.

“It remains imperative that we abide by the rules, we stay local and we look after each other.”

Travel out-with council areas is still largely prohibited, while outdoor meetings between adults are limited to four people from two households.

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