'Snoopy' with children and toddlers in the junior section of Central Library in George IV Bridge Edinburgh to promote the Children's Book Bang event in May 1976. | TSPL

placeholder image — 'Snoopy' with children and toddlers in the junior section of Central Library in George IV Bridge Edinburgh to promote the Children's Book Bang event in May 1976. | TSPL

Edinburgh Retro: 38 brilliant pictures of growing up in the late 1970s, including meeting stars, school dinners and street party

Published 18th May 2025, 04:45 GMT

From school dinners to autograph signing by a 12-year-old Lena Zavaroni, a childhood in the late 1970s offered predictable routine and surprise treats.

Here’s a selection of old photographs chosen from the Evening News archive which illustrate some of the things which youngsters could enjoy nearly 50 years ago.

Scroll through the pictures and get a flavour of what life was like five decades ago for children in Edinburgh.

37. Sponge throwing

Girls from 4th Edinburgh Brownie pack threw wet sponges at the Reverend William Peat during the St Serf's summer fair in June 1978 - and they didn't hold back! | TSPL Photo: Albert Jordan

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38. Pinching a chip

SNP politician Margo MacDonald gets a chip from local boys during her visit to Gorgie, Edinburgh, in April 1979. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan

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Edinburgh Retro: 38 brilliant pictures of growing up in the late 1970s, including meeting stars, school dinners and street party

From school dinners to autograph signing by a 12-year-old Lena Zavaroni, a childhood in the late 1970s offered predictable routine and surprise treats.

37. Sponge throwing

38. Pinching a chip

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