Edinburgh retro: 17 amazing photos of Edinburgh in 1982, including visits by The Rolling Stones and The Pope

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 12th Mar 2023, 11:24 GMT

Updated 18th Dec 2023, 19:31 GMT

A Rolling Stones gig at The Playhouse, a visit from Pope John Paul II, bin strikes and Falklands War protests – this is a snaphot of Edinburgh life back in 1982.

We’ve dug deep through the Evening News picture archives to bring you 17 memories of the Capital back in 41 years ago.

Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Rubbish in Cockburn Street in Edinburgh during the dustmen's strike in 1982. Familiar shops of yesteryear include Orphan Annie's and Ground Control.

1. Dustmen's strike 1982

Rubbish in Cockburn Street in Edinburgh during the dustmen's strike in 1982. Familiar shops of yesteryear include Orphan Annie's and Ground Control. Photo: Hamish Campbell

Some of the enamelled advertisements on the frontage of Blair Street in Edinburgh promoting MacNiven & Cameron's Pickwick, Owl and Waverley fountain pens. Picture taken in April 1982.

2. MacNiven & Cameron sign 1982

Some of the enamelled advertisements on the frontage of Blair Street in Edinburgh promoting MacNiven & Cameron's Pickwick, Owl and Waverley fountain pens. Picture taken in April 1982. Photo: Denis Straughan

People queue for tickets to see the Rolling Stones at the Edinburgh Playhouse on May 28 1982.

3. Rolling Stones queue

People queue for tickets to see the Rolling Stones at the Edinburgh Playhouse on May 28 1982. Photo: Norman Wilson

Bus and taxi services at St Andrew Square bus station enjoyed extra business during the British Rail strike of January 1982.

4. Bus station during BR strike 1982

Bus and taxi services at St Andrew Square bus station enjoyed extra business during the British Rail strike of January 1982. Photo: Bill Newton

Edinburgh The Rolling Stones

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