Take a look through our gallery to see 16 old Edinburgh cinemas shut down or demolished over the decades.

placeholder image — Take a look through our gallery to see 16 old Edinburgh cinemas shut down or demolished over the decades.

Edinburgh retro: 16 old Edinburgh cinemas shut down or demolished over the decades

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 19th Jan 2025, 05:00 BST

These days, there are less than a dozen cinemas in Edinburgh – but between 1820 and 1963 there was reportedly more than 120 picture houses across the city.

The majority of them opened in 1913, which something of a boom year for cinema. Sadly, most of those magical movie theatres have long since been demolished, with many of them making way for luxury flats.

Scroll through our picture gallery to see 16 lost Edinburgh cinemas which many locals still recall fondly.

The autioriums of the ABC cinema were demolished in April 2001 and replaced by the current Odeon.

9. ABC Cinema, Lothian Road

The autioriums of the ABC cinema were demolished in April 2001 and replaced by the current Odeon. Photo: TSPL

The Gaumont Cinema in Canning Street was destroyed by fire in May 1962.

10. The Gaumont Cinema, Canning Street

The Gaumont Cinema in Canning Street was destroyed by fire in May 1962. Photo: TSPL

The Palace Cinema on the left which was closed and demolished in the 1950s.

11. The Palace Cinema, North Bridge

The Palace Cinema on the left which was closed and demolished in the 1950s. Photo: TSPL

A fire at the Scotia Cinema in Dalry in 1962.

12. The Scotia Cinema, Dalry

A fire at the Scotia Cinema in Dalry in 1962. Photo: TSPL

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