Edinburgh retro: 25 incredible images of Edinburgh in 1970 – including bus crashing into Waverley Bridge

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 22nd Apr 2020, 13:29 BST

Updated 3rd Mar 2023, 14:56 BST

Edinburgh has changed so much down the decades – as you will see in these amazing photos.

We’ve trawled through the photo archives to bring you 25 photographs depicting Edinburgh in 1970 – a year that saw the Capital host the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

Take a look through or picture gallery and transport yourself back to a bygone era.

An Eastern Scottish bus crashed into the railings at the top of the Waverley Bridge, near the Waverley Market in Edinburgh in November 1970.

. Bus crash at Waverley Bridge

An Eastern Scottish bus crashed into the railings at the top of the Waverley Bridge, near the Waverley Market in Edinburgh in November 1970. Photo: Hamish Campbell

Aerial view of the opening of the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh.

. Commonwealth Games 1970

Aerial view of the opening of the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. Photo: TSPL

Shoppers queue outside C&A in Princes Street for the sales in December 1970

. Queues for C&A sales

Shoppers queue outside C&A in Princes Street for the sales in December 1970 Photo: Bill Stout

The Scottish women's swimming team check in at the Commonwealth Games village Edinburgh in July 1970.

. Scottish women's swimming team

The Scottish women's swimming team check in at the Commonwealth Games village Edinburgh in July 1970. Photo: TSPL

Workmen use cutting equipment during the demolition of part of Caledonian railway station (Caley Station) in Edinburgh, March 1970

. Demolishing Caledonian station

Workmen use cutting equipment during the demolition of part of Caledonian railway station (Caley Station) in Edinburgh, March 1970 Photo: TSPL

Two little girls making sandpies in the Commonwealth Games long-jump sandpit at Meadowbank stadium in July 1970.

. Children in Meadowbank sandpit

Two little girls making sandpies in the Commonwealth Games long-jump sandpit at Meadowbank stadium in July 1970. Photo: Gordon Rule

Smouldering rubbish was tipped onto Waveley Bridge by an Edinburgh Corporation dustcart before firemen could deal with it in April 1970.

. Rubbish tipped on Waverley Bridge

Smouldering rubbish was tipped onto Waveley Bridge by an Edinburgh Corporation dustcart before firemen could deal with it in April 1970. Photo: George Smith

Action during the Hibs v Malmo game at Easter Road Edinburgh in September 1970.

. Hibs v Malmo 1970

Action during the Hibs v Malmo game at Easter Road Edinburgh in September 1970. Photo: Denis Straughan

Students after graduating at Edinburgh University.

. Graduation day

Students after graduating at Edinburgh University. Photo: TSPL

Visitors meet one of the elephants at Edinburgh Zoo in April 1970.

. Edinburgh Zoo

Visitors meet one of the elephants at Edinburgh Zoo in April 1970. Photo: Hamish Campbell

Twenty-eight girls take part in a sponsored handshake for Shelter in Princes Street Edinburgh in March 1970.

. 'Shake Hands for Shelter'

Twenty-eight girls take part in a sponsored handshake for Shelter in Princes Street Edinburgh in March 1970. Photo: Hamish Campbell

An Eastern Scottish bus crashed into the railings at the top of the Waverley Bridge, near the Waverley Market in Edinburgh in November 1970.

1. Bus crash at Waverley Bridge

An Eastern Scottish bus crashed into the railings at the top of the Waverley Bridge, near the Waverley Market in Edinburgh in November 1970. Photo: Hamish Campbell

Aerial view of the opening of the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh.

2. Commonwealth Games 1970

Aerial view of the opening of the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. Photo: TSPL

Shoppers queue outside C&A in Princes Street for the sales in December 1970

3. Queues for C&A sales

Shoppers queue outside C&A in Princes Street for the sales in December 1970 Photo: Bill Stout

The Scottish women's swimming team check in at the Commonwealth Games village Edinburgh in July 1970.

4. Scottish women's swimming team

The Scottish women's swimming team check in at the Commonwealth Games village Edinburgh in July 1970. Photo: TSPL

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