John McDonald was arrested for refusing to give his details to police when they approached him as part of Edinburgh City Council and Police Scotland’s attempts to tackle noisy street performers.

Officers had given him a ‘yellow card’ warning over his noise levels and asked him to only play his pipes six days a week.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh have received complaints from local residents and a councillor about excessive noise from bagpipe buskers on the Royal Mile over the last month.

“On Sunday June 4 officers from the city centre Community Policing Team observed a bagpiper busking at Castlehill.

“The noise level was clearly excessive. The busker concerned was told to stop playing and issued with a ‘yellow card’ warning which outlines the relevant legislation.

“Once a recorded police warning has been issued, officers are required to record the busker’s details.

“The busker refused to comply with this and he was arrested. He was released later in the day.”