It was a simple gesture, but a powerful one. Out of the dark and the fog of an Edinburgh night, came the sound of people applauding and cheering.
With individuals self-isolating across the country, the first Clap For the NHS was a rare moment for everyone to come together, across the city, Scotland and the UK, and show their shared appreciation for the frontline workers from the NHS fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.
People opened their windows and stood on their doorsteps at 8pm for a short while and made some noise.
Some clapped, some whooped and others banged pots and pans as people have done in other countries such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Canada.
i’ve never seen or heard anything like it before. thank you edinburgh for rallying together. thank you to our frontline heroes. #ClapForNHS #clapforourcarers pic.twitter.com/YoTQ9Z9XhT
— Dayna McAlpine (@daynamcalpine_) March 26, 2020
Misty night in Edinburgh but didn’t stop the people cheering. As an NHS worker thank you. #clapforNHS pic.twitter.com/nHL1dxh4OV
— Clare Dorgan (@claredorg) March 26, 2020
A beautiful moment for the angels #clapforNHS #Edinburgh pic.twitter.com/U6I1ZsmrFx
— Lisa Milne (@MarlisaMilne) March 26, 2020
Paying respect to our NHS heroes in Edinburgh. Thank you all for looking after us and we will get through this together. #clapforourcarers #clapforNHS pic.twitter.com/EBfi03y8ns
— Frank (@sanitylaughs) March 26, 2020
Proud #community #porty #portobello #scotland #edinburgh #clapforourcarers #clapforNHS pic.twitter.com/SlCrv4ULAM
— Zoë Berry (@Zoelovespirates) March 26, 2020
Expected to feel like a tit being the only one clapping but Edinburgh turned up #clapforNHS #ClapForCarers pic.twitter.com/lF5NiGz3Dl
— Ben Knapp (@BenK95) March 26, 2020
Well-timed victory lap from the police there! Lots of applause to go around...Cheers echoing around the streets of Edinburgh #ClapForCarers #clapforNHS pic.twitter.com/utp2bvofGD
— Claire McAllister (@journo_claire) March 26, 2020