The new decade was ushered in with a bang in January as the last remnants of Portobello Power Station were cleared by controlled explosion.
A sign was erected at the huge gap site at Greenside announcing plans to build a BBC Scotland television centre. Despite looking initially promising, the Edinburgh TV centre would never see the light of day and would eventually be built in Glasgow instead.
The Capital added a brand new exhibition and art space in 1980 with the creation of the City Art Centre. Situated next door to this newspaper’s former office on North Bridge, the building was previously a fruit & veg warehouse.
In November Welsh star Shirley Bassey, fresh from singing the theme to James Bond flick Moonraker the year before, took to the stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
More to follow soon in Part 3.
1. Easter Road railway bridge
The disused railway bridge at Easter Road was dismantled in January 1980. Also in picture, The Drambuie Liqueur Co Ltd sign. Photo: Bill Stout
2. City Art Centre
Exterior of the City Art Centre, which opened as an art gallery/exhibition centre in 1980 after a complete interior renovation, having been a fruit and vegetable warehouse previously. Photo: Stan Warburton
3. Auntie's new Scottish HQ
The site for the new (unbuilt) BBC Scotland broadcasting centre and hotel at Greenside in Edinburgh, September 1980. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
4. Demolishing Portobello power station 1980
King's Road residents complained to the Evening News 'Action Wanted' team that blasting during the SSEB's demolition of Portobello power station was damaging their property in January 1980. Photo: George Smith