Police disperse crowd amid muted Hogmanay events

The crowd at Edinburgh Castle dispersed after police arrived

Crowds of several hundred people gathered at Edinburgh Castle to see in the new year despite police and government warnings to stay away.

People sang and danced before dispersing when several police vans and cars drove on to the castle esplanade.

Most Scots heeded warnings to hold Hogmanay celebrations at home with household members.

There were no midnight fireworks at the castle, but a display was held at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were aware of gatherings at Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill around midnight on Hogmanay.

"Officers safely engaged with those in attendance and explained the current government regulations resulting in the groups dispersing without incident."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Thursday that there should be "no gatherings, no house parties and no first footing" at Hogmanay.

All of mainland Scotland and Skye are under level four restrictions, while the other islands are in level three.

Details have meanwhile emerged of another police enforcement action against a group who gathered at a rented property in Aberfoyle during the festive period.

Police Scotland confirmed that 32 people were charged with culpable and reckless conduct after officers were called out on 27 December.

According to the Scottish Sun, the group had travelled from Glasgow but police were tipped off by locals who spotted vehicles parked outside the property.

People in Scotland were urged to stay at home and celebrate the new year with their families

At Edinburgh Castle, one Hogmanay tradition endured as a lone piper played in the new year at midnight.

With the capital's traditional new year party cancelled, the organisers of its annual Hogmanay celebration instead released a series of "drone swarm" videos titled Fare Well.

The display featured a swarm of 150 illuminated drones forming symbols and animals in a "beautiful ode to Scotland".

Each video was narrated by actor David Tennant and included verses written by Scotland's official poet, makar Jackie Kay.

While they appear to be flying above landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the drones were flown elsewhere before being edited into other footage.

Drones write a message in the sky above the Forth Bridge

The streets of central Edinburgh were quiet, in contrast to last year's Hogmanay celebrations when about 100,000 visitors attended the street party with live performances from Idlewild and Mark Ronson in Princes Street Gardens.

Elsewhere in the UK this year a fireworks and light display, including tributes to NHS staff, was held over the River Thames in London, but people were also told to stay at home rather than go out and celebrate.