Hundreds line streets hours ahead of Scotland's first Uniqlo opening in Edinburgh

Hundreds of excited shoppers lined the streets of Edinburgh hours before the opening of Scotland’s first Uniqlo store.

The popular Japanese retailer, which produces clothing and accessories for men, women and children, opened the doors to its first Scottish store Princes Street at 9am on Thursday.

Ahead of the opening, queues stretching from all along the city’s high street and around halfway up Hanover Street were in place.

Barriers were erected along the street with hundreds of shoppers lined up to enter with green tea offered to those waiting in line.

Shoppers queued up hours before the store officially opened at 9am on Thursday. Lauren Gilmour

The clothing giant also offered the first 100 shoppers through the door a free goodie bag.

Customers will be allowed to access a sales floor of approximately 1,430 sq metres which is spread across two levels.

Alessandro Dudech, chief operating officer at Uniqlo UK, told STV News: “Our strategy when opening new stores is always to have set locations that have a very deep heritage also from an architectural perspective, so obviously choosing this location a grade II listed building with the most wonderful view in the city was, for us, a no brainer.

“We’re really excited to be opening here because we believe this is a step in the regeneration of Princes Street and Edinburgh and we want to play a part in the rebirth of this historical iconic shopping street.”