There have been major changes over the years to how we get about Edinburgh, and to and from the Capital. Train stations have come and gone over the years, including a forgotten city centre station under one of the Edinburgh’s landmark hotels.
Our look at seven Edinburgh transport hubs show major changes to St Andrew Square Bus Station, the city’s newest train station Edinburgh Gateway, and the new tram depot opened at Gogar ahead of the return of trams to the Capital in 2014.
13. Leith Central Station then
Opened in July, 1903, the most striking feature of Leith Central Station was its size. The station occupied a whole town block at the foot of Leith Walk, being bounded by Leith Walk on the western side; Easter Road on the east and Duke Street to the north. The four platforms were positioned around 15 feet above street level, with the buffer stops being at the western end. On this, the Leith Walk side, pictured in May, 1972, the station was entered by doors on the corner of Duke Street, leading to stairs up to the ticket office, waiting rooms and other passenger facilities, which were situated at platform level, one storey above the street. Below these consisted a series of retail premises on the Leith Walk and Duke Street sides of the Foot of the Walk, most notably the Central Bar, which still exists. At the eastern side, the station was still as high above street level, however, the four platforms and many sidings contained within the station narrowed to cross Easter Road on a four-track bridge. | TSPL Photo: National World
14. Leith Central Station now
The site at the foot of Leith Walk where the grand entrance to Leith Central Station once was, as it is currently. Following its closure to passengers in April, 1952, the station was adapted to become a motive power depot. It was finally closed completely in 1972 and became derelict. In the 1980s the derelict station was notorious as a haven for drug addicts, and this inspired a key scene in Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. The large train-shed was subsequently demolished and all that remains is the terminal building and clock tower. The site of the station platforms currently houses a children's soft-play centre, formerly Leith Waterworld, and a Tesco supermarket. The main building which housed the station offices, waiting room, the station clock and the shops at street level still stand at the foot of Leith Walk. A tenement block on the opposite side of Easter Road which was demolished as part of the construction of the station has now been replaced by modern housing. | NHS Lothian Photo: NHS Lothian