Exterior of the Classic cinema in Nicolson Street Edinburgh. Opened in 1912 as La Scala, by March 1986 the Classic was showing mostly adult films and closed in 1987.Exterior of the Classic cinema in Nicolson Street Edinburgh. Opened in 1912 as La Scala, by March 1986 the Classic was showing mostly adult films and closed in 1987.
Exterior of the Classic cinema in Nicolson Street Edinburgh. Opened in 1912 as La Scala, by March 1986 the Classic was showing mostly adult films and closed in 1987.

11 cinemas around Edinburgh's Southside from yesteryear

Edinburgh’s Southside and adjacent areas were once full of cinemas, and despite there being so many, there would be long queues to get in.

Now there are sadly none, although there is some promise of the former New Victoria on Clerk Street, which is currently owned by the G1 Group, being reopened to include a cinema.

Southsider Lisa Sibbald, the author of a new book: Edinburgh’s Southside – History, People, Memories, takes us on a tour of the district's lost film houses.

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