It was the year when Edinburgh installed a controversial “kinetic sculpture” in the middle of a very different looking Picardy Place roundabout, Margo MacDonald got elected to Westminster and 7:84 Theatre Company produced its legendary The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil.
Other notable events in the Capital in 1973 included the demolition of Waverley Market, Hibs’ 7-0 victory over Hearts in the New Year derby and Wings appearing in concert at the Odeon, not to mention the Evening News celebrating its 100th birthday.
Ted Heath was prime minister, Richard Nixon president of the United States and Britain joined what was then the European Economic Community (EEC).
Scroll through these pictures to get a glimpse of what was going on in Edinburgh 50 years ago.
. Kinetic sculpture at top of Leith Walk
A 'kinetic sculpture', one of Edinburgh's first examples of community art, was installed in the middle of the roundabout at Picardy Place, at the top of Leith Walk, in November 1973. The 80ft tall scaffold structure was made up of fluorescent tubes, which were supposed to light up and change colour according to wind speed and direction. But it rarely worked and after ten years it was taken down in 1983. Photo: Bill Stout
. Paul McCartney in Edinburgh
Former Beatle Paul McCartney, with Linda McCartney and baby Stella McCartney outside Edinburgh's North British hotel in Princes Street - now the Balmoral - in May 1973. Wings had played a concert at the Odeon the previous evening. Photo: Albert Jordan
. Fire at Crawford's whisky bond in Leith
A fire broke out at Crawford's whisky bond in Leith in December 1973. Firemen used a hydraulic platform to fight the flames. Photo: Denis Straughan
. Sportswoman of the Year
Edinburgh athlete Helen Golden received the Usher-Vaux Sportswoman of the Year Award for 1973. She is beside a brewer's dray outside the firm's brewery. Photo: Jack Crombie
. Demolition of Waverley Market
The old Waverley fruit market had occupied the site on Princes Street next to Waverley Bridge since 1869 and was roofed over in 1874. But in the 1950s most of the traders had switched to Market Street and the lower level of the market was then used for fairs and exhibitions. It was demolished in February 1973 and was eventually replaced by the current shopping centre. Photo: TSPL
. Playhouse confectionery stall
The Misses Lyall and Hall running the sweet counter at Edinburgh's Playhouse theatre in November 1973 - before popcorn and Coca-Cola took over. Photo: George Smith
. Hibs win New Year's Day derby 7-0
On January 1, 1973 Hibs recorded arguably their greatest ever result, winning the Edinburgh Derby 7-0 at rivals Hearts' Tynecastle Park stadium. 'Turnbull's Tornadoes' ran riot that day, leading 5-0 at half time before two more strikes in the second half. Photo: TSPL
. Ken Buchanan v Jim Watt
Edinburgh boxing hero Ken Buchanan fights Jim Watt in a British lightweight boxing match in Glasgow in 1973. It was a gruelling 15 round contest which Buchanan won. The referee was George Smith of Leith. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
. Margo MacDonald elected as MP
Margo MacDonald burst onto the political scene when she scored a sensational victory for the SNP by winning the previously safe Labour seat of Glasgow Govan in a by-election in November 1973. Although she lost the seat at the next election, it was the start of a long political career. She was elected an SNP MSP for Lothian when the Scottish Parliament was set up, later becoming an independent and served until her death in 2014. Photo: Gordon Rule
. Edinburgh North by-election
On the same day as Margo MacDonald's victory in Govan, there was also a by-election in Edinburgh North. It was caused by the seat's Tory MP, the Earl of Dalkeith, moving to the House of Lords when he became the Duke of Buccleuch. The SNP candidate was the party's then leader, Billy Wolfe, but he finished third, behind Labour's Robert Cairns but ahead of long-time Liberal campaigner Ronnie Guild. The Tories held onto the seat with a reduced majority - the new MP was Alex Fletcher, pictured here with his wife and daughter. Photo: Hamish Campbell
. Watching Royal wedding
Edinburgh passers-by watch the Royal wedding of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips in a television shop window in the Royal Mile in November 1973. Photo: Alex Brown
. Terraces at Murrayfield
The terraces at Murrayfield rugby ground in April 1973, littered with beer cans and other rubbish after a match. Photo: Hamish Campbell
1. Kinetic sculpture at top of Leith Walk
A 'kinetic sculpture', one of Edinburgh's first examples of community art, was installed in the middle of the roundabout at Picardy Place, at the top of Leith Walk, in November 1973. The 80ft tall scaffold structure was made up of fluorescent tubes, which were supposed to light up and change colour according to wind speed and direction. But it rarely worked and after ten years it was taken down in 1983. Photo: Bill Stout
2. Paul McCartney in Edinburgh
Former Beatle Paul McCartney, with Linda McCartney and baby Stella McCartney outside Edinburgh's North British hotel in Princes Street - now the Balmoral - in May 1973. Wings had played a concert at the Odeon the previous evening. Photo: Albert Jordan
3. Fire at Crawford's whisky bond in Leith
A fire broke out at Crawford's whisky bond in Leith in December 1973. Firemen used a hydraulic platform to fight the flames. Photo: Denis Straughan
4. Sportswoman of the Year
Edinburgh athlete Helen Golden received the Usher-Vaux Sportswoman of the Year Award for 1973. She is beside a brewer's dray outside the firm's brewery. Photo: Jack Crombie