The world's greatest Hogmanay street party on Princes Street used to be free. However, after the 1997 event drew an estimated 400,000 people to the city centre to see Britpop stars Ocean Colour Scene the event became ticketed, with locals having to queue to get the gold dust tickets. Now you have to pay to go to the party, but from the comfort of your own home by booking online.placeholder image
The world's greatest Hogmanay street party on Princes Street used to be free. However, after the 1997 event drew an estimated 400,000 people to the city centre to see Britpop stars Ocean Colour Scene the event became ticketed, with locals having to queue to get the gold dust tickets. Now you have to pay to go to the party, but from the comfort of your own home by booking online. | TSPL

20 of the best things we could once do in Edinburgh but now can't, including the flumes and Little Marco's

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn

Reporter

Published 2nd Jun 2024, 04:49 BST
Updated 23rd Feb 2025, 04:50 BST

Edinburgh has changed quite a lot over the years – and it’s meant some of the things we were once lucky enough to be able to do have disappeared.

There are so many great things that locals used to love doing in Edinburgh which are no longer here, including some of our once favourite shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

There was also the iconic Little Marcos’s soft play centre, Gorgie City Farm, free entry to the Hogmanay street party, the Fun City amusement park and the flumes at “The Commie”.

So take a trip down memory lane and check out some great attractions that are no longer available in Edinburgh.

Leith Waterworld was a leisure pool built on the site of the former Leith Central railway station. It had flumes, a fast river run and a wave machine. This splashing venue was very popular with locals from when it opened in 1992 until it closed in 2012 in order to save funds for the Royal Commonwealth Pool's renovation and re-opening.

9. Make a splash at Leith Waterworld

Leith Waterworld was a leisure pool built on the site of the former Leith Central railway station. It had flumes, a fast river run and a wave machine. This splashing venue was very popular with locals from when it opened in 1992 until it closed in 2012 in order to save funds for the Royal Commonwealth Pool's renovation and re-opening. | TSPL Photo: National World

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In the 90s, the Odeon Cinema on Edinburgh's South Clerk Street was a great place to watch the latest films like 'She's All That' and 'Notting Hill'. However, the art deco building is now disused and even had to be saved from demolition in 2009.

10. See a film up the Bridges

In the 90s, the Odeon Cinema on Edinburgh's South Clerk Street was a great place to watch the latest films like 'She's All That' and 'Notting Hill'. However, the art deco building is now disused and even had to be saved from demolition in 2009. | TSPL Photo: National World

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Eros/Elite at Fountain Park was two large nightclubs in one, with one focusing on electronic dance music for younger clubbers and chart-topping hits on offer next door for slightly older club goers. The popular nighttime entertainment venue unfortunately closed its doors in 2003, just four years after opening.

11. Boogie at Eros/ Elite

Eros/Elite at Fountain Park was two large nightclubs in one, with one focusing on electronic dance music for younger clubbers and chart-topping hits on offer next door for slightly older club goers. The popular nighttime entertainment venue unfortunately closed its doors in 2003, just four years after opening. | TSPL Photo: National World

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The Fun City amusement park at Portobello Beach was a great treat when spending a day in the Edinburgh sunshine, pictured above in September 1974, with the old Portobello Power Station also pictured in the background. As well as fairground rides, the park also had lots of slot machines and arcades to enjoy. It stood for over 100 years and was renowned as the second oldest funfair in Britain until it closed in 1998 and the site was stripped away to make way for new flats.

12. Take a trip to Fun City

The Fun City amusement park at Portobello Beach was a great treat when spending a day in the Edinburgh sunshine, pictured above in September 1974, with the old Portobello Power Station also pictured in the background. As well as fairground rides, the park also had lots of slot machines and arcades to enjoy. It stood for over 100 years and was renowned as the second oldest funfair in Britain until it closed in 1998 and the site was stripped away to make way for new flats. | TSPL Photo: National World

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