

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

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.

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

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

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

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