Fire forces Scotsman evacuation

The Scotsman Steps run between Market Street and North Bridge

One of Edinburgh's biggest hotels had to be evacuated for more than an hour after a fire outside the building set off alarms inside.

Smoke from the rubbish fire, which was on the Scotsman Steps, entered the hotel through an open window.

It activated fire alarms which led to Lothian Fire and Rescue crews evacuating the hotel.

Fire fighters carried out a search of all the rooms following the call at 2200 BST on Thursday.

It took more than 90 minutes for them to give the five-star hotel the all clear.

After a head count in the rain, guests were taken to the neighbouring Carlton Hotel.

Daniel Pereira, General Manager of the Scotsman hotel, told the BBC Scotland news website: "Unfortunately because the steps are right next to the hotel there was smoke which found its way into our building and set off the alarms.

"Fortunately nobody suffered any injuries from smoke inhalation which was obviously a good thing."

The rubbish fire, on the steps which run between Market Street and North Bridge, had already been extinguished by the time crews arrived at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Lothian Fire and Rescue said: "The crews systematically checked all the rooms to make sure there was nothing else which set off the alarms, but they were able to confirm that it was just a rubbish fire."