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.
9. Football at 'The Cage'
The Cage park at the foot of Stewart Terrace was the Hampden Park for aspiring Tynie footballers, who would gather every lunch break for a game in this small concrete square surrounded by a high cage fence at the back of the old Ferranti Works factory. The iconic park was lost forever when the old factory was finally knocked down in the early 2000s and new housing with a more welcoming park was built. Also the scene of a few fights after school, unfortunately we can't find any photos of the famous Cage park in our archives. | Google Maps
10. Sponsored walk
Tynecastle High School's annual sponsored walk was an exciting day away to the countryside for pupils from the inner-city school. Walking from the Pentland Hills, down through Bonaly and onto the Colinton Dell, it was great to see unusual things like nettles and reservoirs while having a laugh with your mates, despite the weather always seeming to be pretty miserable. | TSPL Photo: National World
11. Sport indoors
The recently built 'modern' games hall at Tynecastle High School was something of a treat for pupils in the 90s. The large hall was the scene of some epic 'sporting achievements' for countless former pupils. Although, there was nothing worse than having to watch your classmates enjoying themselves from the room overlooking the hall if you had misbehaved or were not feeling match fit. It was also handy in the winter when lunch break football at the Cage in Gorgie was called off and you would have to kindly ask the PE teachers to let you play indoors. | TSPL Photo: National World
12. Fight at the gravy!
Disagreements between pupils in class at Tynecastle High didn't tend to end amicably and would often lead to a shout of 'fight at the gravy after school' echoing through the corridors, with excited pupils rushing up the road to Dalry Cemetery at the end of the school day to grab the best spot for the latest big fight action. The Cage in Gorgie was also a popular after-school fight location, giving a proper UFC vibe, long before the combat sport was popular. The overgrown graveyard is pictured above in May 1987. | TSPL Photo: National World