A busy Edinburgh street has been closed off with a bomb disposal unit in attendance.
Emergency services were also at the scene on the capital’s Princes Street, with several buildings left behind a police cordon.
Officers have since confirmed that a suspicious package found at the scene was confirmed as being non-viable.
Shoppers told how they had to be evacuated through backdoors as emergency services were called to the area on Monday afternoon.
The incident took place near to the city’s National Gallery, which had to close along with several shops and other businesses from Frederik Street to St Andrew’s Square.
Posts on social media show bomb disposal officers at the scene along with the ambulance service and police.
Crowds also gathered at the end of Frederik Street where the cordon begins.
Scottish Citylink confirmed that Princes Street has been closed and asked customers to board at the bus station or west end of the city instead.
And Lothian Buses said vehicles are being diverted away from the scene.
Police Scotland later confirmed that a suspicious package that was found in the area was found to be non-viable.
A spokesperson for the force said: “At around 1.40pm police received a report of a suspicious package found at a building on the Mound, Edinburgh.
“Emergency services attended, the building was evacuated and a cordon put in place.
“EOD attended to examine the package and confirmed it was non-viable.
“All surrounding road are in the process of being reopened.”
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