10 former Edinburgh cinemas that have been given a new lease of life
By David McLean
Published 14th Jan 2021, 00:58 GMT
There have been in excess of one hundred picture houses in Edinburgh down the decades, but only a select few stand today and barely a handful have retained their original use.
From the art deco former Roxy at Gorgie Road to the cavernous Playhouse at Greenside, we take a look at 10 former Edinburgh cinemas that have taken on a new lease of life in recent years.
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. Former Roxy
Former Roxy Cinema on Gorgie Road. Photo: Ian Georgeson
Now a Mecca bingo hall, the Capitol Cinema was opened on September 21 1928 by Gaumont British Theatres. The main entrance to the cinema was through a railway arch. The Capitol closed in 1961. Photo: GARETH EASTON
Leith's State Cinema opened in 1938 and continued operation into the 1970s when it was converted into a bingo hall. The auditorium was demolished in 2019 and the building is in the process of being transformed into 36 Scandinavian-style luxury apartments. Photo: George Smith
A popular haunt for many a Southsider back in the day, the La Scala was one of Edinburgh's oldest cinemas, opening in 1912. It was renamed the Classic in 1974 and later became a bingo hall. Photo: PHIL WILKINSON
Originally intended to be a live variety theatre and able to accommodate 3,400 spectators, the Edinburgh Playhouse opened in 1929 as the city's first "super cinema". No longer a picture house, The Playhouse has hosted live entertainment almost exclusively since 1987. Photo: TSPL
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