The city had been praised for its hosting of the 1970 Commonwealth Games 16 years earlier, but the Capital’s second attempt at playing host would be swept up in controversy.
Firstly, Edinburgh had practically received the 1986 games by default, as no other city in the UK had wanted them. Then, in the run up to the big event, a mass boycott was staged in response to then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid administration.
From 59 potential participating nations, only 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 improbably fashion 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.
Take a look through our photo gallery for 17 memories of Edinburgh in 1986 – and let us know your own recollections in the comments section before you go.
5. Mogul's medals
Businessman Robert Maxwell was presented with a set of medals for his part in the Commonwealth Games, held in Edinburgh in 1986. Mr Maxwell (with Lord Provost Eleanor McLaughlin to the right) at the City Chambers in January 1989. Photo: Alan Macdonald
6. 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
7. 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
8. Moment of creation
Edinburgh stockbrokers Bell, Lawrie Ltd prepared for 'Big Bang' when the world's stock market was computerised in October 1986. Photo: Alan Macdonald