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

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

By Gary Flockhart

Published 22nd Apr 2020, 13:29 BST

Updated 3rd Mar 2023, 14:56 BST

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.

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