Teens stripped to the waist and in bare feet crossing Princes Street in summer 1976.Teens stripped to the waist and in bare feet crossing Princes Street in summer 1976.
Teens stripped to the waist and in bare feet crossing Princes Street in summer 1976.

Scottish Heatwaves: Here are 15 fascinating pictures from the 1960s and 1970s of Edinburgh and Scotland experiencing heatwaves

As record-breaking temperatures are set to leave the UK sweltering, we look back at some of the heatwaves of the past.
By David Hepburn
Published 18th Jul 2022, 16:53 BST

Scotland’s summers are getting progressively hotter due to global warming (although it may sometimes feel like they’re not getting any drier) – with Glasgow in particular having its warmest summer ever just last year (2021).

However heatwaves are nothing new for Scots, with many having particularly evocative memories of 1976, when a spell of dry and warm weather spanned the end of June and the majority of July and August.

We’ve had a look back in the archives to find a few pictures from that year, and some of the other times temperatures rocketed north of the border,

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We’ve had a look back in the archives to find a few pictures from that year, and some of the other times temperatures rocketed north of the border,

Crowds enjoying the sunshine at the former putting green in East Princes Street Gardens, in Edinburgh, in 1976.

5. Park life

Crowds enjoying the sunshine at the former putting green in East Princes Street Gardens, in Edinburgh, in 1976. Photo: National World

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Miss Souness of Sighthill Terrace crosses Princes Street with her pet poodle during the 1960 Edinburgh heatwave.

6. Hot dog

Miss Souness of Sighthill Terrace crosses Princes Street with her pet poodle during the 1960 Edinburgh heatwave. Photo: Unknown

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Fife also simmered in 1976 - with these crowds enjoying Glenrothes Summer Show, held in August.

7. Putting on a show

Fife also simmered in 1976 - with these crowds enjoying Glenrothes Summer Show, held in August. Photo: National World

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Holidaymakers on Portobello Beach in summer 1965.

8. Summer sun

Holidaymakers on Portobello Beach in summer 1965. Photo: Unknown

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