Edinburgh police called to break up 'disturbance' in Meadows tonight following earlier incident at Portobello Beach

One picture taken by Edinburgh-based crime writer Ian Rankin show a large crowd of people in one section of the large public park.

Another shows several officers apparently trying to clear people away, with the author writing: "Couple of dozen uniforms have turned up and are having a go at clearing the place..."

He also described the scene in one of his pictures as a "mass brawl."

Litter can be seen strewn across parts of the grass in the photographs.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7.45pm, officers were called to a report of a disturbance and officers are currently at the scene."

No further details have been provided at this stage.

Portobello Beach incident

It comes after police were called to a "large disturbance" at Portobello Beach earlier today, as many flocked there during the hot weather.

Onlookers reported seeing over ten police cars, wagon and motorbikes heading to the area.

Police said there were no reports of any injuries during this incident.

The behaviour of some groups of people using the Meadows has repeatedly been at the centre of controversy this summer, most notably concerning public urination and leaving litter behind.

The Met Office said a temperature of 28.7c was recorded in Edinburgh today at Gogarbank around 3:20pm.