Nicola Sturgeon 'felt like crying' looking at Portobello sunbathing pictures

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she ‘felt like crying’ when she saw pictures of crowds gathered on Portobello Beach during this week’s hot weather.

She was speaking this afternoon as she announced the Scottish Government’s plans to ease lockdown restrictions in Scotland.

Yesterday, police were called to Portobello to deal with the large numbers of people swimming in the sea, sunbathing and enjoying picnics as temperatures soared to 22C.

Large crowds on Portobello Beach on Wednesday. Picture: Lisa Ferguson | JPIMedia

Lockdown restrictions do not permit such activities.

The First Minister said she understood why people felt the urge to enjoy the outdoors in the warm weather but added: “I felt like crying to some extent.”

She urged the public to ‘stick’ to the rules.

“My fear is that people are starting to think this [the pandemic] is over. A second wave later this year is real and we cannot take our eyes off that,” she added.