Here's a new spin on cycling round the sights of the Capital

But now tourists can take in the city's attractions lying on their backs, aboard specially adapted bikes.

The "recumbent" bikes, which have been imported from Holland and Germany, are being used by tourists to visit places such as Holyrood Park, the Meadows, Cramond and the National Gallery of Modern Art.

The riders are supported with their legs extended forward to pedals that are at about the same level as the height of the seat.

The Laid Back Bike company is offering four-hour tours for groups of up to six riders on various routes, in what is billed as a new form of "sustainable tourism". The tours include training sessions on how to get to grips with the bikes before their riders set off in earnest.

Founder and keen cyclist Dave Gardiner joined forces with Marchmont shop The Bicycle Works to get the business off the ground.

Mr Gardiner said: "Most tours we are running are for just one or two people, although we can take slightly bigger groups.

"As far as we know, we are the only company in Scotland where you can hire a laid-back bike, and also the only place where you can arrange to go on a guided tour on one.

"Recumbents are a fun way to rewrite the rules of getting around, with a positive effect on health and the environment. They are generally more efficient and less stressful on the body than upright bikes, and it is pretty easy to pick up how to ride one.

"We're offering people the chance to learn to ride one and learn a bit about the city at the same time.

"We make sure we follow easy routes, away from the traffic, and people always get the chance to try them out on the grass on the Meadows before we set off.

"We'll refund people if they find they can't ride one of the bikes after half an hour.

"We're also giving people the chance to hire them for several days at a time once we know them and we think they know what they are doing."

The company is also offering hires of the bikes - which cost at least 1000 to buy - to city cycling enthusiasts keen to try them out.

Linda Galt, spokeswoman for national tourism agency VisitScotland, said: "Edinburgh has a great cycle path network and this style of bike offers a fantastic opportunity to take in the inspiring views of the capital.

"VisitScotland welcomes new and innovative techniques like Laid Back Bikes which allow visitors to enjoy Edinburgh and Scotland in a different and engaging way."

Ian Maxwell, spokesman for the cycle campaign group Spokes, said: "These tours sound like a great idea - particularly because you do need a bit of guidance and instruction before you set out on the bikes.

"They are a lot more energy-efficient in terms of pedal power, and they are also really great fun to use."