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.
9. Queen visits Ferranti 1980
Queen Elizabeth II visits the Ferranti electronics factory at Silverknowes Edinburgh in July 1980. The Queen smiles at the Handle With Care sign on the box. | JPIMedia Photo: Alan Ledgerwood Crauford Tait
10. George Hunter of the Monarchs 1980
George Hunter of the Edinburgh Monarchs speedway team in April 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
11. Motorbike leathers 1980
Boys in black leathers with their Honda motorbike in Edinburgh, May 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Albert Jordan
12. Salvation Army hostel 1980
Exterior of the Salvation Army hostel at the foot of the Pleasance in Edinburgh, June 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: George Smith