Bute House protested by environmental campaigners

Environmental campaigners have staged a Halloween themed demonstration outside the first minister's official residence over "scary" fossil fuels.

Climate groups gathered outside Bute House in Edinburgh to protest against the Scottish government's decision to give the go-ahead for a new, gas-fired, power station at Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

The decision has been branded a "catastrophic failure" by environmental campaigners, who said burning fossil fuels is the key driver of extreme weather such as recent storms, record heat and flooding.

The Scottish government said it remained committed to tackling climate change.

The protest also comes after the announcement from the UK government that the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen would be allowed to go ahead.

Protesters wearing Halloween themed masks and holding placards with messages such as "fossil fuel ghouls" and "this decision will haunt you" gathered on Charlotte Square.

Kate Whitaker of Friends of the Earth Scotland said fossil fuels are "scary" because of the harm they are causing "millions of people".

"When politicians make disastrous decisions to approve new oil or gas, people get even more terrified about our collective future," she said.

"Giving the go ahead for a new fossil-fuelled power plant at Peterhead is a catastrophic failure from the Scottish government to protect people from both climate breakdown and the increasing burden of household energy bills.

"Politicians could instead help allay our fears by focusing on climate solutions that improve people's lives such as warmer homes, reliable bus services and creating green jobs."

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We remain unwavering in our commitment to tackle climate change, delivering positive climate action to achieve net zero by 2045.

"The full grounds for the ministers' decision are set out in the decision letter.

"Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, were important considerations in the decision-making process."