Former pupils of Tynecastle High and Dalry Primary will no doubt recall these memories of school life growing up in Gorgie/ Dalry in the 80s and 90s.
From illegal gambling games to fights after school, it seems like a lot has changed in Edinburgh school life these days, perfectly illustrated by the lack of high-tech educational tools 30 years ago compared to now.
Pupils at ‘Tynie’ also had to deal with a toxic smell at the original crumbling 1912 school building before the high school relocated up McLeod Street to the corner with Gorgie Road at the start of the 21st century.
And, Dalry Primary kids enjoyed regular trips to two local attractions to escape the classroom for a couple of hours.
Pupils at ‘Tynie’ also had to deal with a toxic smell at the original crumbling 1912 school building before the high school relocated up McLeod Street to the corner with Gorgie Road at the start of the 21st century.
5. 'Pitchy' in the playground
Another favourite playground game at Tynie was pitch and toss, known at the time as 'pitchy'. The gambling game involves players throwing their coin as close to a wall as possible, with the player who is closest walking away with all the coins involved. A ban on the game at the Gorgie school led pupils to take their gambling up to White Park at lunchtimes, although, then headteacher Mr Hay would still sometimes appear from nowhere and bring proceedings to an abrupt end! | National World Photo: Jon Savage Photography
6. Shellsuit ban
Given that pupils wore what they pretty much wanted to when attending the Gorgie school back in the day, one popular fashion item in the 90s wasn't allowed. Tynecastle High pupils were banned from wearing shellsuits at school due to 'incidents' in the science department. Legend has it that some pupils went up in flames when too close to a bunsen burner, leading to the ban, but like all playground gossip from the time, it was probably just more the fear of teachers and parents that the flammable clothing could go up in flames which saw them outlawed. | National World Photo: National World
7. Smell
As this aerial photo from November 1992 shows, with Tynecastle High School (top right) being located so close to the North British Distillery (left) and the chemical works behind that, there was almost always a horrible smell in the air over Tynie. I guess over the years you got used to the yeasty/ chemically smell, but I'm pretty sure health and safety would be all over that nowadays. And as a Hibs fan, it would be childish of me to mention the smell from the neighbouring Hearts ground not helping matters, so I wont. | TSPL Photo: National World
8. Trip to the farm
Living in such an urban environment growing up in Gorgie/ Dalry, it was great to have a slice of the countryside on your doorstep at Gorgie City Farm. Pupils from nearby Dalry Primary School would make regular educational trips in the 80s and 90s there to learn about farming life, feed the animals and just escape the classroom for a couple of hours. Pictured are children from Dalry primary school helping Dinkie the Jersey cow celebrate her first birthday at Gorgie City Farm in October 1987. | TSPL Photo: National World