Huge queues have been spotted to gain access to Edinburgh's Christmas Market after the original opening time was delayed.
After flocks of people arrived at the main entrance on Friday ahead of the official opening time, they were left bemused after being turned away and told the venue "was not ready."
A spokesperson for the market said that they were up and running later in the day but were extremely busy with "over 1,000 people" waiting to get in. Images shared with Edinburgh Live on Saturday, November 26, show similar scenes as huge queues have been spotted spanning the length of Waverley Bridge.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Christmas Market opening delayed as huge queue forms in Princes Street
One eye witness described the scene as "mad" but said the average wait time seems to only be around ten minutes as of 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
They said: "The Christmas Market organisers this year seem to have a real handle on controlling the numbers going into the event. Last year it felt a bit chaotic moving around but the queuing system seems to have worked out with giving everyone a bit more room to explore when inside.
"It was madness to see what must’ve been 1000 people queueing to get in but I was probably only waiting around ten minutes top before being able to get my fill of festive cheer.
"The market is still absolute pandemonium and a touch pricey but it’s still as magical as ever with something for everyone!"
The whole pavement opposite Waverley Mall has been swamped with excited market-goers as tens of thousands are expected to descend on the capital's Princes Street Gardens for the first market in three years without any Covid restrictions.
As well as uncertainty surrounding Covid, organisers of Edinburgh's Christmas Market have had to deal with the prospect of it not going ahead this year due to concerns raised over the state of the beauty spot during the aftermath of nearly 100 stalls being removed afterwards.
Nonetheless tourists and locals will be able to visit from Saturday, November 26, through to January 3 with a whole host of stalls, rides and children's entertainment to keep people busy throughout their visit.
Forth 1's big wheel, George Street's ice rink and Santa Wonderland at West Princes Street Gardens have all returned this year as part of an action-packed lineup.
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