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.placeholder image
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

Reporter

Published 16th Sep 2023, 04:45 GMT

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.

The iconic main stand viewed from London Road ahead of demolition in 2018.

13. Demolition

The iconic main stand viewed from London Road ahead of demolition in 2018. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden

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Edinburgh City Vs Edinburgh University at Meadowbank Stadium in February 2013. Dougie Gair is pictured celebrating scoring his penalty.

14. Football action

Edinburgh City Vs Edinburgh University at Meadowbank Stadium in February 2013. Dougie Gair is pictured celebrating scoring his penalty. Photo: Ian Georgeson

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Scottish athlete Lachie Stewart with his gold medal, won in the Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres final at Meadowbank stadium Edinburgh in July 1970. Ron Clarke of Australia won silver and Dick Taylor of England won bronze.

15. Winners

Scottish athlete Lachie Stewart with his gold medal, won in the Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres final at Meadowbank stadium Edinburgh in July 1970. Ron Clarke of Australia won silver and Dick Taylor of England won bronze. Photo: Archives

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Scotland's Geoff Parsons clears the bar in the High Jump for a silver medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh held at Meadowbank Stadium, July 1986.

16. High jump

Scotland's Geoff Parsons clears the bar in the High Jump for a silver medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh held at Meadowbank Stadium, July 1986. Photo: Denis Straughan

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