Cloudy skies lead to mixed fortunes for Scotland's eclipse hunters

Edinburgh saw some of the biggest crowds as the east of the country started to look more promising for the skygazers.

One member of the public who had travelled up the capital's Calton Hill told the BBC that the view point was busier than it usually was on Hogmanay.

Hundreds of people had gathered there for the eclipse.

Neil Martin, president of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh, described the vista as "pretty incredible", saying: "You never get bored of this view."

BBC News's Lorna Gordon said the Moon came across from the right, eating into the Sun, and left a crescent at the top.

A large cloud momentarily covered the sun entirely, but when it cleared ahead of the maximum eclipse a cheer erupted from the crowd.

At the point the light became muted and subdued, and the noise from the crowd softened as they took in the spectacle.

Reporting from BBC News contributed to this story.