Reports of a “severed head” have emerged after police locked down an area of Edinburgh’s old town on Saturday night.
Pubs in the area were evacuated after dozens of officers were called to the Cowgate just after 8pm.
Eyewitness claimed that the “severed head” was found in a nearby street.
Photographs shared online and sent to the Record have not yet been verified.
Police Scotland said they are dealing with a road traffic incident. Comments left on the force’s Facebook page claim the images of the alleged incident are “gruesome” and “horrific”.
Forensic officers have now set up two separate tents at the scene.
Katie McLaughlin, from Dumfries, had been in Bannerman’s Bar in the Cowgate when she and her friends were locked in after around 8pm.
The 31-year-old told the Record: “We were in Bannermans having a drink and went to leave but a member of the staff stopped us. He said police were outside and a severed head had been found in the Cowgate. I almost laughed because it’s Halloween weekend and I thought it was a prank. We went to the bar where the staff said, no, it’s real.
“They said that the police had ordered them to shut the pub. They then let us all leave by the back door but we were able to have a look down the street.
“I saw three police cars and five police officers and a small silver tent. The police were taping off the area. We are in another pub now. The whole area is sealed off. It just seems so surreal.”
Another eyewitness said: “Police just appeared and started putting tape up. Whatever it is, it looks pretty serious. There doesn’t look to be any cars inside the cordon anyway.”
Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Road remain closed off.
Several surrounding night time venues have been ordered to close to allow police investigations to take place. A number of bars and nightclubs were due to host Halloween-themed events.
A statement from Bachata Blues Edinburgh reads: “Following police instructions, all Cowgate venues are going to be closed tonight due to a major incident. All ways to enter Cowgate are cut off. Unfortunately, we have to cancel tonight’s event as Mash House will remain closed all night, following police instructions. We will be back soon & hope to reschedule our night as soon as possible!”
The Record has approached Police Scotland for comment.
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