Meadowbank Stadium started life as 'Old Meadowbank' in 1934 as a multi-purpose sports facility, mainly used as a football stadium by Leith Athletic between the 1930s and 1950s and as a motorcycle speedway track. The original stadium was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the new Meadowbank Stadium which was built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games. In the early months of 2019 the stadium was demolished and work begun on construction of its replacement, a much smaller more compact facility, which opened in 2022. Pictured above is a youth athletics meeting in 2004.Meadowbank Stadium started life as 'Old Meadowbank' in 1934 as a multi-purpose sports facility, mainly used as a football stadium by Leith Athletic between the 1930s and 1950s and as a motorcycle speedway track. The original stadium was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the new Meadowbank Stadium which was built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games. In the early months of 2019 the stadium was demolished and work begun on construction of its replacement, a much smaller more compact facility, which opened in 2022. Pictured above is a youth athletics meeting in 2004.
Meadowbank Stadium started life as 'Old Meadowbank' in 1934 as a multi-purpose sports facility, mainly used as a football stadium by Leith Athletic between the 1930s and 1950s and as a motorcycle speedway track. The original stadium was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the new Meadowbank Stadium which was built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games. In the early months of 2019 the stadium was demolished and work begun on construction of its replacement, a much smaller more compact facility, which opened in 2022. Pictured above is a youth athletics meeting in 2004.

Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium: 29 great photos showing the changing face of Meadowbank over the years

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 16th Sep 2023, 04:45 BST
The changing face of Edinburgh’s premier athletics stadium

We’ve taken a look back in our photo archive to see the changing face of Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium over the years.

Edinburgh’s top athletics stadium has seen many top athletics events over the years including the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and 1986, as well non-athletics events like Edinburgh Rugby matches and football matches involving home sides Spartans, Edinburgh City and Meadowbank Thistle, having previously been a popular speedway track for many years.

Old Meadowbank was a motorcycle speedway track that ran from 1948 to 1954 and 1960 to 1967. Geoffrey Thomas is pictured getting on his bike at Meadowbank, the then home of the Edinburgh Monarchs, in the 1960s.

5. Geoffrey Thomas at Meadowbank - He gets on the bike

Old Meadowbank was a motorcycle speedway track that ran from 1948 to 1954 and 1960 to 1967. Geoffrey Thomas is pictured getting on his bike at Meadowbank, the then home of the Edinburgh Monarchs, in the 1960s. Photo: Archives

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Duke of Kent opens The new Commonwealth Stadium / Meadowbank Stadium on the 2nd May 1970.

6. A new dawn

Duke of Kent opens The new Commonwealth Stadium / Meadowbank Stadium on the 2nd May 1970. Photo: TSPL

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Demolition of Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium began in January 2019 to make way for a new £45 million facility. The demolition of the grandstand marked the start of turning the 50-year-old venue into a state-of-the-art sports centre.

7. End of an era

Demolition of Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium began in January 2019 to make way for a new £45 million facility. The demolition of the grandstand marked the start of turning the 50-year-old venue into a state-of-the-art sports centre. Photo: SWNS

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The official flag is raised at the opening ceremony of the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games 1986, held at Meadowbank Stadium.

8. Raising the flag

The official flag is raised at the opening ceremony of the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games 1986, held at Meadowbank Stadium. Photo: Denis Straughan

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