Mikhail Gorbachev visited Scotland in his role of Chairman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Soviet Union in December 1984. Mikhail Gorbachev visited Scotland in his role of Chairman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Soviet Union in December 1984.
Mikhail Gorbachev visited Scotland in his role of Chairman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Soviet Union in December 1984.

80s Edinburgh: These 17 nostalgic photos capture life in Edinburgh in 1984, including Mikhail Gorbachev visit

We’ve had a dig through our photo archives to find some amazing pictures that perfectly capture Edinburgh in 1984.
Gary Flockhart
By Gary Flockhart
Published 21st Jan 2023, 12:38 BST
Updated 21st Jan 2023, 12:53 BST

Nineteen Eighty-Four may not have turned out to be quite as bleak as George Orwell predicited in his famous dystopian novel, but half a decade into the Thatcher era and unemployment was sky high in the UK.

In Edinburgh, we saw the opening of two shopping centres – Waverley Market and Cameron Toll – and a visit from a man who would turn out to be the last ever leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev.

Take a look through our picture gallery for a look at Edinbugh life in 1984.

Take a look through our picture gallery for a look at Edinbugh life in 1984.

Cameron Toll shopping centre in Edinburgh, nearing completion in October 1984.

17. Cameron Toll shopping centre 1984

Cameron Toll shopping centre in Edinburgh, nearing completion in October 1984. Photo: Hamish Campbell

Photo Sales
Previous
5 / 5
Next Page
Related topics:Edinburgh

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.