Counter terrorism police were investigating attacks last week that appeared to target Muslims which left five people injured in Edinburgh.
The attacks began near a mosque in the west of the city, where two men were injured, on Friday night.
Footage posted on social media appears to show the same bare-chested man vandalising a petrol station and battering the door of a pizzeria several miles away before being held on the ground by police.
A 36-year-old white man was arrested and counter terrorism officers have joined local Police Scotland colleagues in the investigation.
In a statement assistant chief constable Catriona Paton said there was “no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland which is at its best when we stand together.
“Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.
“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”
The Scottish Association of Mosques said two of those hurt were “reportedly attacked after attending prayers at their local mosque”.
In a statement they said: “The attacks in Edinburgh are… the latest in an alarming pattern of hostility and violence directed towards Muslims, mosques and Islamic institutions across Scotland.
“In recent months, communities have witnessed mosques being targeted, racist incidents directed at Muslim communities, and a broader rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric both online and offline.”
Newsletters
Choose the newsletters you want to receive
View more
For information about how The Observer protects your data, read our Privacy Policy
Police said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. Two of the injured men were aged 22, and others were aged 24, 27, and 39.
First minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the incidents, adding: “There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the government.”
Video footage also recorded a taxi with its windows smashed with police at the scene.
Various other videos of incidents have been posted on social media, appearing to show the same man causing disorder at other locations.
In one clip the man is seen at a petrol station kiosk wandering around before pushing several shelves over and scattering items on the floor.
Members of the public can be seen running away from a man as he approaches the pizzeria in the city.
Staff in the pizzeria closed the electronic shutters as he repeatedly struck the door panes with the weapon before wandering away.
Photograph by Alan Wilson / Alamy