Why you may have seen helicopters flying over Edinburgh in recent days

Helicopters have been spotted over parts of Edinburgh in recent days.

A police helicopter has been spotted over the north of Edinburgh in recent days.

Pictures showed a helicopter flying circling around the coast area on Monday afternoon, while several residents also reported seeing one on Saturday night over Granton.

A police spokeswoman confirmed today that their air support unit was brought in as part of the search for missing 48-year-old woman Elaine McArthur, who was last seen in Crewe Road North, Pilton, on Saturday at about 12:40pm.

A police helicopter circling above the north of Edinburgh on Monday.

Police Scotland has just one helicopter covering all of Scotland and a spokeswoman confirmed that it has not been used to enforce social distancing measures.

Police are yet to confirm whether the helicopter seen today above the north of Edinburgh was there for the search for Ms McArthur - but a spokeswoman said inquiries are continuing to trace her.

‘Incredible’ woman

Police in Corstorphine have said they are concerned for the welfare of Ms McArthur, who is described as vulnerable.

Speaking yesterday to the Edinburgh Evening News, her son Harry McArthur described his mother, a lifelong Hibs fan, as an “incredible, intelligent woman” who previously worked as a midwife, lecturer and nurse.

Shockingly, an online scammer sent a message to Mr McArthur asking for $3000 (about £2,500) in exchange for information on her whereabouts and asked him not to contact police during their conversation.

Despite this low point, Mr McArthur has thanked everyone who has shared the appeal for his mother and supported his family over the past three days.

Elaine McArthur is described as white, 5ft 2in tall, with a slim build and long blonde hair tied up. She was last seen wearing a khaki green waterproof jacket, blue jeans, green trainers and carrying a green rucksack.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact officers on 101, quoting incident number 1604 of 18 April 2020.