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.
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