Bomb disposal units spotted in Edinburgh during major police investigation

Roads were closed around the High School Yards as a bomb disposal unit was seen entering the area.

Police have urged people to avoid the surrounding area as their investigations into “non-hazardous substances” continue.

Areas of Edinburgh’s old town have been cornered off, including Cowgate, Pleasance and Infirmary Street, adjacent to South Bridge.

Eyewitnesses told The Edinburgh Tab that police cordoned off the busy area, and claimed “no one is allowed to leave Pleasance [at the moment] and no one can get in”.

Bomb disposal unit in High School Yards #Edinburgh pic.twitter.com/W3VSge9AlG

— Stephen McMurray (@StephenMcMurray) January 21, 2025

Officers originally attended the scene on Sunday, around 4.45pm, after the substances were discovered in a building on The Pleasance road.

The materials were established by police as not hazardous, but investigations continue, with Edinburgh bomb disposal teams spotted in the area around 3pm on Tuesday.

This new investigation comes as a bomb disposal van was spotted within the police cordon.

Following the bomb investigation in Edinburgh, a University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “We can confirm that all university buildings are open and none have been evacuated.”

Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Gas have been approached for comment.