Mercifully, 1984 didn’t turn out to be quite as bleak as George Orwell predicted in his famous dystopian novel – but half a decade into the Thatcher era and unemployment was sky high in the UK.
In Edinburgh, Waverley Market and Cameron Toll shopping centres opened their doors, while the city had a visit from a man who would turn out to be the last ever leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see what Edinbugh life was like back in 1984.
5. Waverley Market roof 1984
Looking across the plaza of the new Waverley Market on Edinburgh's Princes Street, November 1984. Also in picture Edinburgh Castle and to left, the Information centre 'fin.' Photo: Bill Newton & Bill Stout
6. Hearts v Hibs 1984
Hearts' Craig Levein manages not to stand on Hibs' Willie Irvine during a Hearts v Hibs Edinburgh derby football match at Tynecastle in October 1984. Photo: Hamish Campbell
7. Drummond Street gap-site 1984
Cars parked in the gap-site at the junction of Drummond Street and The Pleasance Edinburgh in december 1984. Photo: Stan Warburton
8. Prince Charles meets Spandau Ballet 1984
Spandau Ballet's Steve Norman and the Kemp brothers share a joke with Prince Charles after their concert at Ingliston in Edinburgh, November 1984. Photo: Denis Straughan