July in Edinburgh, and residents are cleaning up after after torrential rain turned roads into rivers and fields into swimming pools (see footage).
According to the council, 30 to 40 homes in Stockbridge colonies were hit by flood waters after the Water of Leith burst its banks (see video). The area has become notorious for flooding, and flood prevention measures were to no avail this time.
Stockbridge Primary School has been used as a standby rest and information centre for affected residents seeking refuge.
Although weather conditions are easing, with light rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow, SEPA still has flood warnings in effect for Cramond, Musselburgh, Roseburn, Stockbridge, Warriston, and Haddington.
Taste of Edinburgh cancelled
Among the casualties of the floods is foodie festival Taste of Edinburgh after rain turned the normally grassy parkland of the Meadows into a boggy marsh.
"Due to challenging weather conditions over the last week and extreme rainfall over the last 24 hours, the Taste of Edinburgh festival has been cancelled for the entire weekend," Taste of Edinburgh organisers said in a statement.
Justin Clarke, CEO of Taste Festivals commented: “Despite all our planning, over the last 24 hours we have experienced some extremely heavy rainfall and our site at The Meadows has become severely flooded. We have been working throughout the night with our Health and Safety experts and The City of Edinburgh Council Parks Department to do what we can to make the site operational, but despite all our efforts we have been forced to cancel the show.
"This has not been an easy decision and we are all absolutely devastated. So much hard work has gone into making this show happen with the event team, sponsors, restaurants, suppliers and exhibitors all going above and beyond.
"Saturday and Sunday tickets will be refunded, but at this current time we would ask visitors to bear with us as we deal with some very challenging conditions on site. We will be in touch with all ticket holders early next week to arrange refunds.
"The site is currently unsafe for entry, but we are working hard to organise access for exhibitors and restaurants as soon as possible.
"We would like to thank everyone for the patience, support and understanding, the people of Scotland have been truly amazing".
Taste of Edinburgh fans might find solace in other events: Mark Greenaway of Restaurant Mark Greenaway and Paul Whitecross from Angels with Bagpipes will be setting up a pop up at Summerhall on The Meadows tonight at 7pm with free, tasty food.
In spite of the impact on the colonies of the floods, Stockbridge market has said it will be going ahead as per usual from 10am to 5pm.
"July and its wet wet wet but always a sunny corner at our market in Stockbridge:-) ....come and see us, we are waiting for you.... " says a message on its site.
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