Retro

Adam Black, member of the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, lived from February 20, 1784 – January 24 1874. He was a Scottish publisher and politician. He founded the A & C Black publishing company, and published the 7th, 8th and 9th editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica. He served as an MP for Edinburgh from 1856 - 1865 and was Lord Provost of Edinburgh twice.

150 famous faces who shaped our city, part one Kevin Quinn

Having given joy to generations, Portobello Bathing Pool and its gorgeous art deco surrounds met with the wrecking ball in 1988. The pool, which dated from 1936, closed for the final time in 1978.

17 incredible buildings we loved and lost Gary Flockhart

The International Exhibition on the Meadows, 1886.

Timeline of 150 years of Edinburgh's history Ian Swanson

Work under way on the Holyrood building - MSPs twice debated whether to pause the project amid soaring costs. Picture: Paul Chappells

Delays, controversies and soaring costs: Remembering the Holyrood building saga Ian Swanson

A late 19th century photograph of Edinburgh's Waterloo Place, including the General Post Office, now Waverley Gate.

A look back at what life was like 150 years ago in 1873 Ian Swanson

The machine room of the Evening News and Dispatch at North Bridge in October 1964. Picture: Alan Jackson.

150 years of the Evening News: The fascinating history of your city paper Ian Swanson

The Edinburgh Evening News has been reporting on the city's affairs for 150 years (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

In an age of fake news and disinformation, good journalism matters Miles Briggs

Claire Hutchison is a conservator with the National Library of Scotland, which has one of the biggest newsaper archives in the UK.

Scottish newspaper archive secured after 'overwhelming' response to appeal Brian Ferguson

Evening News journalist John Gibson borrows actor Peter O'Toole's binoculars during the latter's visit to Edinburgh in August 1984 (Picture: Albert Jordan)

Ian Rankin, Elsie Inglis and John Gibson: city has its fair share of legends Susan Dalgety

Take a look through our photo gallery to see some of Oasis’s finest moments in Edinburgh

15 photos of Oasis in Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

The Ross Bandstand was used recently to show the coronation of King Charles (Picture: Scott Louden)

Cockburn Association must take a consistent, even-handed approach John McLellan

Locals objected to plans for a 5G mast on Johnston Terrace, saying it would 'ruin' views of Edinburgh Castle.

Plans for 'eyesore' 5G mast blocking castle view withdrawn Anna Bryan

The R&B superstar, who had just released her first solo album, picked up two awards at the MTV event in Leith.

Looking back on the time Beyonce visited Leith for star-studded event Anna Bryan

Gilmerton Cove, about ten feet below ground, is thought to have been inhabited up to 300 years ago (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)

Mysterious and historic cave is a gem well worth saving – Donald Anderson Donald Anderson

Take a look through our photo gallery to see 13 traditional pubs in Edinburgh’s Old Town we’d recommend for a pint.

13 'proper' pubs in the Old Town Gary Flockhart

Eros/Elite was another go-to place for clubbers in Edinburgh in the 2000s. Located in the Fountainbridge district, the club closed in 2004. Laura Goodall shared her memories of the club's different rooms and said nights there were "so good". Hilary McKelvie added that it had the "best nights".

12 pictures of lost nightclubs that you would like to bring back Rhoda Morrison

Edinburgh has many pubs which date back hundreds of years and are full of rich history and we've taken a look at just 13 of its oldest watering holes.

13 of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh in chronological order - in pictures Rhoda Morrison

Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostaligic trip back to when Eurovision came to Edinburgh in 1972.

In pictures: When Edinburgh hosted Eurovision Gary Flockhart

New Cockburn Association chair Barbara Cummins used to work for the city council and Heritage Environment Scotland

Heritage watchdog picks first woman chair after 148 years Ian Swanson

Calton Jail with Edinburgh Castle in the background. Image: Crown Copyright courtesy SPS

Prison records tell tales of body-snatchers and child criminals Ian Swanson

Milestone House in Edinburgh was the UK’s first purpose-built AIDS hospice.

Princess Diana's signature to feature in exhibition on Scotland's HIV heritage Brian Ferguson

Gregor Townsend takes the brunt of the Welsh charge in the Scotland v Wales rugby game, 19 Feb 1996

25 photos transporting you back to Edinburgh in 1996 David McLean

The Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir performed at last year's Royal National Mòd in Perth. Picture: Peter Sandground

Alarm raised over 'erosion' of traditional Scottish culture due to Covid Brian Ferguson

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh walk to Signet Library from St Giles' Cathedral after a service. The Queen is dressed in a robe of the Order of the Thistle

Looking back on the city during the last Coronation Ginny Sanderson

Hearts’ Eamonn Bannon beats Hibs’ Gordon Rae in the New Year’s Day Hearts v Hibs Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle in January 1990. Final score was 2-0 to Hearts.

In pictures: Edinburgh in the 1990s Gary Flockhart

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the monarch's official residence in Scotland and the Queen traditionally spent a week based there in June each year, when she would make visits across the central belt and further afield as well as hosting ceremonies at the palace.
The 16th-century historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the state apartments, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public throughout the year, except when members of the Royal Family are in residence.
The Queen's Gallery was built close to the palace, opposite the Scottish Parliament, and opened in 2002 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection.

Capital buildings with special links to the Royals Ian Swanson

Gary Innes, BBC Scotland presenter and founding member of Scottish supergroup Mànran, launches Scottish Folk Day with piper Katie McEwan of Oban High School Pipe Band, who are just back from New York’s Tartan Week. Picture: Kevin McGlynn

‘Scottish Folk Day’ to be staged as part of Europe-wide culture celebration Brian Ferguson

Robin Harper, Scotland's first Green parliamentarian, celebrates with Mark Ballard, who had just been elected as the party's second MSP for Lothian alongside Mr Harper.
The Greens made other gains across Scotland, increasing their total representation in the Scottish Parliament from two to seven.
Mr Harper served as co-convener of the party until 2008 and remained an MSP until steping down at the 2011 election. Mr Ballard served only one term before leaving the parliament in 2007.

Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count.The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians.Pic.... Neil Hanna

Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count.
The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians.
Pic.... Neil Hanna

Looking back at Scotland's 2003 'rainbow parliament' election in 13 pictures Ian Swanson

More than 220,000 people normally attend the Tattoo each year. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Tattoo chiefs reveal Queen's death could have left event with £12m bill Brian Ferguson

Leslie Jackson washes her face in the May Day morning dew on Arthur's Seat in the age-old Edinburgh tradition.

May Day celebrations through the years - in pictures Ian Swanson

The festival centres on the performance of a ritual drama, based on aspects of the ancient festival of Beltane, celebrating the fertility of the land and animals and the rebirth represented by the start of summer on May Day.

17 pictures of the Beltane fire festival over the years Ian Swanson

Situated at the foot of the Mound, the Life Association of Scotland Building was regarded by many as an architectural masterpiece. Its demolition in 1968 caused uproar among conservationists.

In pictures: 17 incredible buildings we lost Gary Flockhart

Take a look through our photo gallery for a trip back in time to 1986.

17 pictures taking you back to the Capital in 1986 Gary Flockhart

In the ten years to 2021, Edinburgh’s population grew by 10.2 per cent from an estimated 477,940 to an estimated 526,470.
In the same time period Scotland's population grew by just 3.4 per cent. Edinburgh’s population shows growth in each age group, while in contrast, Scotland's child population fell slightly and the working age population remained stable. Both Edinburgh and Scotland saw large increases in the older population.

Edinburgh in numbers: A look at how the Capital has changed over the years Ian Swanson

A bright sunny day for shopping on 20 April 2000.

25 photos of Edinburgh in Y2K Gary Flockhart

Here are 15 of the Edinburgh public houses listed in the CAMRA guide – and why they were included.

15 Edinburgh pubs of 'national historic importance' Gary Flockhart

Take a look through our photo gallery to see a dozen lost Edinburgh department stores that locals still remember fondly.

12 iconic Edinburgh stores from yesteryear Gary Flockhart

The coronation will be screened live in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, the city council has announced.

Coronation to be screened in Princes Street Gardens Emma Lawson

The Stone of Destiny in the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle. Or is it? (Picture: PA)

Stone of Destiny? That lump of sandstone is more like an old cludgie cover Susan Morrison

Two thirds of tickets for this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have already been snapped up.

Tattoo organisers aim for sell-out after two thirds of tickets are snapped up Brian Ferguson

For many Edinburghers, no hard day’s swim at the Royal Commonwealth (Commie) Pool was complete without a hunger-nullifying detour to Brattisani’s on Newington Road - its memorable red seating booths were a trip back in time to the year it opened.

12 things you'll remember if you grew up in Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Irvine Welsh's cult novel Trainspotting, which was made into a hit film by Danny Boyle, is full of hilarious Edinburgh slang.

23 bits of slang you will hear in Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Edinburgh's festival fireworks finale was first staged in 1982. Picture: Andrew O'Brien

Edinburgh’s festival fireworks may not return over environmental impact concerns Brian Ferguson

Edinburgh's ‘Festival Village’ could soon be forced to close

Why is Edinburgh so po-faced? A city is not a museum! – Susan Dalgety Susan Dalgety

Two teenagers have been charged in connection with vandalism at Linlithgow Palace

Boys, 13 and 14, charged in connection with palace vandalism Rhoda Morrison

In Edinburgh, there is a small area adjacent to Holyrood Palace referred to on street signs as Croft-an-Righ. On the face of it, this would seem to simply be a slightly anglicised version of Gaelic Croit an RÃ¬gh '˜the King's croft'. This would seem appropriate given the royal location, indeed, it is referred to as such in a 19th-century Gaelic book. The name as it appears now however is misleading; in 1781 it is on record as Croft Angry. Several other places with such a name exist in Scotland, including two in Fife. These are Scots names containing croft with an element angry; this is of uncertain meaning as it seems only to have survived in place-names; it is related to German anger ‘(small) meadow’. Possibly it means a ‘fenced grazing in the croft or arable infield’ or perhaps more simply ‘grassland’.

In pictures: 11 of the oldest buildings in Capital Gary Flockhart

Here we take a nostalgia-tinged look at the record stores that are no longer in business – but are still fondly remembered.

Remembering Edinburgh's lost record stores Gary Flockhart

This classic Reebok Hearts kit was released in 2003 and was a big hit with Jambos.

Retro Hearts home and away strips Kevin Quinn

The former Royal High School building on Edinburgh's Calton Hill is set to become a new Scottish National Centre for Music

There are valid questions over the cost of Edinburgh’s big new cultural projects Brian Ferguson

Edinburgh pet shop owners that kept and walked a lion on a leash around Tollcross.

The Edinburgh lion who was a local pet shop celebrity Annabelle Gauntlett

Ellie McLaren and Anna Scott pose at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow to promote the city's Piping Live! festival. Picture: Jamie Simpson

Anonymous survey launched to tackle Scotland’s ‘huge’ bagpiping gender gap Brian Ferguson

The iconic ice cream shop closed its doors for the last time in 2002.

13 things Edinburgh people miss about the early 2000s Gary Flockhart

Broadcaster Gail Porter led this year's Tartan Day parade in New York City. Picture: Martin McAdam

Invasion of politicians conjures new dimension to Tartan Week cringe factor Brian Ferguson

A highly fashionable blast from the past this one. Burberry closed its Princes Street outlet in 1999.

12 lost Princes Street shops of the 1990s and 2000s Gary Flockhart

Edinburgh Academy boasts an impressive list of famous names amongst its former pupils.

10 famous faces who went to Edinburgh Academy Gary Flockhart

Thomas Hamilton at work in his sweet-shop Hamilton's, which he ran on Portobello's Bath Street for over 20 years.

Tributes paid to 'cheeky chappy' who owned local sweet-shop Anna Bryan

Mahatma Gandhi, seen at a spinning wheel during a 'Charlea' demonstration in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1925, campaigned for Indian independence from British rule (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Education about colonialism is vital when so many think Empire was a good thing Foysol Choudhury

A rare 1957 Radicon toy robot, owned by Lee Garrett from Edinburgh, has been valued at thousands of pounds (Picture: McTear's Auctioneers/PA Wire)

My Bowie Barbie may have soared in value but I wouldn't sell him for the world Susan Dalgety

Edinburgh beauty Queen Sarah MacRae winning her Miss Scotland title in 1993 at Bonkers Showbar in Glasgow.

Looking back on what life was like in 1993, in pictures Kevin Quinn

For most of the 90s, the Scottish and Newcastle brewery occupied the site that the Scottish Parliament now lies on. Throughout the decade, parliament gathered in the Assembly Hall on the Mound, until the brewery was demolished in 1999, making way for the new building at Holyrood. Today, the unique building looks nothing like what stood there in the 1990s.

10 things that have changed in Edinburgh since the '90s Anna Bryan

People eating in the Food Court at Waverley Market shopping centre in Edinburgh, with the fountain in the centre, July 1988.

Looking back at what life was like in Edinburgh in the late 1980s - in pictures Kevin Quinn

Chefs taking part in a pancake race on Portobello promenade in February 1983.

16 pictures which show what life was like in Edinburgh in the 1980s Kevin Quinn

Duddingston's Sheep Heid Inn is considered to be the oldest pub in all of Scotland. There's been a drinking establishment of some description on this site since around 1360. It's positively steeped in history.

13 of the city's oldest pubs - in pictures Kevin Quinn

Mathie Chalmers Hearts groundsman shows the Scottish Cup to a section of the crowd at Tynecastle in 1956. Hearts had beaten Celtic at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup final, 1956.

20 pictures of Tynecastle in the 1950s and 1960s David Hepburn

Lee couldn't believe her ears when she found out

Woman shocked to discover toy robot worth thousands Jolene Campbell

V&A Dundee's new exhibition Tartan runs from 1 April till 14 January. Picture: Michael McGurk

Scotland's biggest celebration of tartan unveiled at V&A Dundee Brian Ferguson

Alan Cumming wore tartan to pick up his OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2009. He decided to hand back the honour several months ago. Picture: Dominic Lipinski

Alan Cumming hails power and ‘subversive’ nature of tartan Brian Ferguson

Take a look through our photo gallery to see 19 amazing images of Edinburgh's North Bridge down the decades.

In pictures: North Bridge down the decades Gary Flockhart

RNVR HMS Claverhouse 4th Division - Inspection in Granton Square, 1957.

17 nostalgic photo memories of Granton Gary Flockhart

Portobello Beach, 1961.

In pictures: Portobello down the decades Gary Flockhart

So much has Edinburgh changed in the 30 years since the publication of Irvine Welsh's cult novel Trainspotting.

Trainspotting locations which changed beyond recognition Gary Flockhart

Take a look through our photo gallery to see 16 lost Edinburgh cinemas which many of you may fondly recall.

Edinburgh cinemas we have loved and lost Gary Flockhart