'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.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

By Ian Swanson
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.

Children try some skipping in Victorian clothes at Whitekirk primary school in East Lothian as they celebrate its centenary by staging a playground scene from the 19th century.

5. Skipping back in time

Children try some skipping in Victorian clothes at Whitekirk primary school in East Lothian as they celebrate its centenary by staging a playground scene from the 19th century. | TSPL Photo: Alan Ledgerwood

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A little boy on his tricycle in Cockburn Street wants to ride a Suzuki motorbike when he grows up, July 1976.

6. Motorbike ambitions

A little boy on his tricycle in Cockburn Street wants to ride a Suzuki motorbike when he grows up, July 1976. | TSPL Photo: Joe Steele

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A young majorette leads the Dentonian school marching band in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade in Princes Street, August 1978.

7. Leading the cavalcade

A young majorette leads the Dentonian school marching band in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade in Princes Street, August 1978. | TSPL Photo: Ian Brand

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Children's author Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear, at a book signing in John Menzies bookshop, Edinburgh in April 1976.

8. Paddington creator

Children's author Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear, at a book signing in John Menzies bookshop, Edinburgh in April 1976. | TSPL Photo: Dick Ewart

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