Throngs of locals lined the Capital’s streets to welcome home local sprinter Allan Wells, who was fresh from winning Olympic gold in Moscow for the 100m dash.
In the world of football, Hearts, having been relegated for the first time in their history, won the First Division at the first attempt and were back in the top flight by the summer.
Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to 1980 – and let us know your favourite pictures in the comments section.
. Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade 1980
A pipe band leads a giant papier mache lion conductor in the Evening News Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade, August 1980. Photo: Jack Crombie
. Billy Connolly smoking 1980
Legendary comedian Billy Connolly with a cigarette during an interview in Edinburgh in August 1980. Photo: Albert Jordan
. Hearts v Hibs 1980
Willie Gibson in action during the Hearts v Hibs Edinburgh Derby football match at Tynecastle in August 1980. Hearts were newly-promoted after being relegated to the First Division in season 1978-79. Photo: Bill Newton
. Queues for Boxing Day sale Forsyth's 1980
Customers queue up for the Christmas and Boxing Day sales at RW Forsyth department store in Edinburgh's Princes Street December 1980. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
. Allan Wells in Edinburgh after 1980 Olympics
Scottish athlete Allan Wells (with wife Margot Wells) waves to the Edinburgh crowds from an open-topped bus in August 1980. Wells won an Olympic gold medal in Moscow for the 100m dash with a time of 10.25 seconds. Photo: Ian Brand Joe Steele
. ERI Flying Squad ambulance 1980
Evening News readers raised money to equip the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary hospital with a Flying Squad ambulance in December 1980. Dr Keith Little shows how the storage system works. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
. Indian Cavalry Club opening 1980
The proprietors of The Indian Cavalry Club, a new Indian restaurant in Atholl Place Edinburgh, opened it with a guard of honour on horseback in July 1980. Photo: Ian Brand
17. Black Bull Inn opening 1980
Models with a real black bull at the opening of The Black Bull Inn in the Grassmarket Edinburgh, March 1980. Photo: Bill Newton
18. MIM hockey team 1980
The Murray International Metals (MIM) hockey team at Edinburgh airport on their return from Australia with the European trophy in December 1980 Photo: Joe Steele