Mansfield - and Jimmy Choo shoes - welcome back Rebecca Adlington

It may be the first time Chris Hoy has come in second. One day after Mansfield succumbed to Adlington-mania, today it was the turn of Edinburgh to celebrate its share of Olympic success.

In Beijing, Hoy became the first British Olympian in 100 years to win three gold medals at a single Games. Thousands were gathering in the Scottish capital this morning to welcome him back home.

“To come back home to the reception I’ve received - it’s almost overwhelming. It has been incredible,” he said.

“This is a special moment for me being back and at this iconic location as well, at Edinburgh Castle.”

George Grubb, the City of Edinburgh Lord Provost, said: “Chris Hoy is now Scotland’s most successful ever Olympian and everyone in Edinburgh is immensely proud of him.

“Watching him power to victory three times in Beijing was truly inspirational and the city’s open top bus parade gives as many people as possible the chance to join in the celebrations. I’m sure that Edinburgh will give all of the winning medallists a fantastic welcome home.”

Hoy will be joined by Scottish silver medallists Ross Edgar, Katherine Grainger and David Florence on an open top bus parade along the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park after a reception at Edinburgh Castle.

Edgar took silver to Hoy’s gold in the keirin cycling event in Beijing, while Grainger, a member of the quadruple sculls, became the first British woman to win medals at three successive Games. She was devastated not to have won gold in China, but her compatriot, Florence, was delighted to have snatched a silver medal after a poor start in the C1 canoe contest.

All three of the Scottish medal-winners were greeted by Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, inside Edinburgh Castle this morning.

“Very few athletes achieve the honour of being selected to represent their country as an Olympian and I am sure that all of Scotland will join me in congratulating the very successful Team GB, its 32 Scottish members and our four Scots medallists,” she said.

“The Scottish Government’s overriding priority is to see an increase in sporting participation rates throughout Scotland and the success of our four medallists can only be a major influence on our young people and help inspire the heroes of tomorrow.”

The welcoming committee was bolstered by Louise Martin, the chair of SportScotland, who said: “Team GB had a fantastic Games and we are very proud of all the athletes including the 32 Scots in the team. The achievements of the four Scottish medallists will hopefully inspire and motivate our young people to take part in sport and physical activity and engender the belief that they too can succeed.”