I can't believe how much Edinburgh has changed since the 80s - 17 photos from 1985

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 14th Mar 2025, 04:44 GMT

Here, we look back at Edinburgh in 1985 and see how much has changed, as well as picking out some landmark moments for the city and its people.

A rummage through the picture archives shows just how different Edinburgh looked back in Nineteen Eighty-Five.

Join us on a trip down memory lane with our selection of old pictures from what was an eventful year Auld Reekie.

Take a look through our photo gallery, and prepare to amazed as you are transported back to 1985.

Take a look through our gallery to see 17 cracking photos of Edinburgh back in 1981.

1. 17 cracking old photos of Edinburgh back in 1981

Take a look through our gallery to see 17 cracking photos of Edinburgh back in 1981. Photo: Third Party

Stephen Gilhooly, owner of Robert Cresser (The Brush Shop) a specialised ironmongers in Victoria Street Edinburgh. Picture taken December 1985.

2. Cresser's brush shop

Stephen Gilhooly, owner of Robert Cresser (The Brush Shop) a specialised ironmongers in Victoria Street Edinburgh. Picture taken December 1985. Photo: George Smith

Edinburgh shopping centre Waverley Market decorated with Christmas lights for shoppers in December 1985.

3. Waverley Market decorations

Edinburgh shopping centre Waverley Market decorated with Christmas lights for shoppers in December 1985. Photo: Albert Jordan

SavaCentrestore in Edinburgh shopping centre Cameron Toll in December 1985.

4. SavaCentre

SavaCentrestore in Edinburgh shopping centre Cameron Toll in December 1985. Photo: Bill Stout

Edinburgh Photo memories Photo Article

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