A ceremonial cauldron was lit in Edinburgh today to mark the run-up to the Paralympic Games.

Celebrations got under way as torchbearer Rosie Smith, 25, lit a gold cauldron at the Mound, using the flame which was created on Britain's highest peak on Wednesday.

It was then taken to the city's Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where patients had the chance to hold the flame in a lantern, before it continued its journey to Meadowbank Sports Centre where a Flame Festival and lantern procession will be held.

"Splinters" of the fire, which was made by a group of scouts on the summit of Ben Nevis, also visited other events around Scotland, including a family fun day at the Tramway in Glasgow.

Ms Smith, from Glasgow, ignited the cauldron beside a giant symbol of the Paralympic Games, known as Agitos, to the sound of bagpipes just after 8am.

She was nominated by Capability Scotland after she led their first Ben Nevis event which involved teams of disabled and non-disabled people working together to climb the 1,344m (4,409ft) to the top of the UK's highest mountain.

"I'm just over the moon," she said.

"It was such an honour to even be nominated to do this, let alone be chosen to do it by the Scottish Government.

"It's an absolute honour and something I'll treasure forever.

"When I found out I was very excited because it was just a random evening. I was sitting with my cousin Louise and then I got a phone call out of the blue saying I was to light the cauldron for the Paralympic Games.

"I think the Games will encourage particularly young people to get involved in sports."

Scouts also lit four flames atop the highest peaks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to spark the Paralympic torch relay this week.

On Ben Nevis, scouts Jason Ridgely, 18, from Thurso, Robyn Gunning, 16, from Aviemore, Christina Sheffield, 16, from Kingussie, Edward Brown, 15, also from Kingussie and Joseph Tangney, 15, from Fort William, worked alongside climber Kevin Shields to light the flame using kindling and a large steel spark.

It was then placed in a lantern and brought down the mountain for its journey to Edinburgh.

After the celebrations in the capital the flame will be taken to the home of the Paralympic movement, Stoke Mandeville, before it is joined with the others created around the UK and carried in a 24-hour relay to London for the opening ceremony.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and Shona Robison, Scotland's Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, attended today's cauldron-lighting ceremony in Edinburgh.

Ms Robison said: "I have no doubt the upcoming Paralympics will encourage disabled people's participation in sport and significantly transform disabled people's lives, ultimately leading to a more inclusive society for everyone to live in."

Mr Moore said: "It is fantastic to see the flame coming to Edinburgh, and it's a great honour for the city to have the chance to celebrate what will be the biggest and best Paralympics ever.

"The talents, dedication and hard work of Scotland's torchbearers and ParalympicsGB is, quite simply, inspirational. I'd especially like to send my best wishes to the 26 Scottish Paralympians, and I know the whole country will be cheering them on throughout the Games."

Locog chair Sebastian Coe said: "Created at the summit of Ben Nevis, the Scottish Flame represents an achievement of human endeavour, which is something that every Paralympian represents."