Containing hits I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and Letter From America, Sunshine on Leith was the album that propelled brothers Craig and Charlie Reid to international fame and recognition.
But it was also a turbulent year that saw the nation mourn two awful tragedies: the Piper Alpha oil rig explosion and the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the skies of Lockerbie.
The fizzy lager was flowing in Fountainbridge in March 1988, with the news that Aussie firm Elders IXL’s plan to merge with Scottish & Newcastle Breweries had failed. The highly-controversial bid had seen demonstrators travel down to London to make their feelings known.
In sport, Scotland’s absence from the Euros was certainly a sore point, but at club level there was joy for at least one half of Edinburgh as Hearts romped through the 1988/89 UEFA Cup competition, eventually succumbing to German cracks Bayern Munich over two legs at the quarter final stage.
The year also witnessed two notable unions taking place, one in politics, the other in a certain Australian soap opera.
March 1988 saw the merger of the SDP and the Liberals to form the Liberal Democrats, while 20 million television viewers across the UK tuned in to watch Scott and Charlene, played by real-life former lovers Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, tie the knot in Neighbours.
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. Prince Edward at St Mary's cathedral 1988
Prince Edward visits St Mary's cathedral workshop project in Edinburgh, October 1988. Other men not identified. Photo: Denis Straughan
. TVs and videos 1988
A man and and a female shop assistant with television sets and video cassette recorders in an unidentified Edinburgh electrical store, October 1988 Photo: Alan Macdonald
. Demolition of Portobello Pool
Steven Halliday, 5, watches the final chapters of the destruction of Portobello open-air pool. Photo: TSPL
. Elsie Inglis closure demo 1988
Mothers and children demonstrate outside the Elsie Inglis Memorial hospital in Edinburgh, on the last day before it closes in October 1988. Photo: Denis Straughan
1. TVs and videos 1988
A man and and a female shop assistant with television sets and video cassette recorders in an unidentified Edinburgh electrical store, October 1988 Photo: Alan Macdonald
2. Demolition of Portobello Pool
Steven Halliday, 5, watches the final chapters of the destruction of Portobello open-air pool. Photo: TSPL
3. Elsie Inglis closure demo 1988
Mothers and children demonstrate outside the Elsie Inglis Memorial hospital in Edinburgh, on the last day before it closes in October 1988. Photo: Denis Straughan
4. Charity Walk at Meadowbank 1988
The Cat & Mouse team in fancy dress for the Evening News Charity Walk, October 1988. Photo: Unknown