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.
5. Traffic in Dalry Road 1980
Pedestrians stuck on the island as the traffic speeds past at the junction of Ardmillan Terrace and Dalry Road in Edinburgh, February 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: George Smith
6. South Bridge primary school 1980
Exterior of South Bridge primary school behind James Thin book shop in Infirmary Street Edinburgh, January 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Crauford Tait
7. STUC march on Princes Street
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) day of action in Princes Street, Edinburgh in May 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: D Ewart
8. Grassmarket antiques shops 1980
Exterior of antiques shops in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, March 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Alan MacDonald