Auld Reekie had been praised for its hosting of the 1970 Commonwealth Games 16 years earlier – but the Capital’s second attempt at playing host would sadly be swept up in controversy.
Firstly, the city had practically received the 1986 games by default, as no other city had wanted them.
Then, in the run up to the summer event, a mass boycott was staged in response to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid administration.
From 59 potential participating nations, just 27 would make the trip to Edinburgh to compete in what would become unofficially known as the ‘Boycott Games’.
Moving over to professional football, Hearts were in top form, with a league and cup double on the cards as the Gorgie side approached the final few games of the 1985/86 season.
Sadly for Hearts fans, the season would end in tears.
The Jam Tarts surrendered their league title ambitions in some style within minutes of the final whistle of the last game of the season. A 2-0 loss away to Dundee, and Celtic’s 5-0 win at St Mirren consigned a broken Hearts to second place.
To make things worse, the team would then lose 3-0 to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final.
Then, in the run up to the summer event, a mass boycott was staged in response to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid administration.
. Broken hearts
Dundee v Hearts. A Hearts fan holds his head in his hands as the league title slips away in 1986. Photo: UNKNOWN
. Iron Lady
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher speaks to Peter Heatly and Robert Maxwell when she visits the Games village during the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games 1986, held at Meadowbank stadium. Photo: Hamish Campbell
. Gentrification v1.0
Exterior of The Cooperage on the Water of Leith Edinburgh, a warehouse converted to apartments/flats. Picture taken September 1986. Photo: Alan Macdonald
. Madame Doubtfire's
Madame Doubtfire's junk shop in Stockbridge in 1982 (the shop closed and was sold on when Madame Doubtfire died in 1979). Madame Doubtfire, the old woman who ran the shop, was the inspiration for a book (and later a film) by the same name, written by Anne Fine in 1986. Photo: George Smith
. Why the long face?
Hamish Taylor and Rob Roger dressed as a panto horse for Edinburgh Students Charities week fundraising in December 1986 - the horse reading the Evening News at Waverley station. Photo: Crauford Tait
17. Fresh fruit!
Fresh fruit and vegetable seller Willie Blues serves a customer some nectarines from his stall in Infirmary Street in Edinburgh in August 1986. Photo: Stan Warburton
18. Top dog
The statue of Greyfriars Bobby is carefully replaced on its pedestal at Candlemaker Row Edinburgh after being repaired in March 1986. Photo: Ian Brand