Retro

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

Clockwise from left: The late Remo Mancini, who used to run Remo's cafe in Stockbridge, Edinburgh sweet shop owner and confectioner Jimmy Casey in February 1988, and a group of happy kids get to choose to sweets.

Edinburgh's lost sweet shops remembered Gary Flockhart

Protesters gathered outside the boarded-up cinema on Sunday to call for the Filmhouse to be saved and not sold for a pub. Picture: Annabelle Gauntlett.

Edinburgh Filmhouse: SNP demands building reopens as art house cinema Brian Ferguson

Have a look through our photo galllery to see what Edinburgh life was like back in 1995.

17 incredible photos of Edinburgh in 1995 Gary Flockhart

An artist's impression of the former Royal High School on Edinburgh's Calton Hill transformed into a new 'world-class centre for music education and public performance' (Image: Richard Murphy Architects)

Ex-Royal High should make a music school and concert hall worthy of the ancients Susan Dalgety

How many of the celebrities in our photo gallery did you know went to school, college or university in Edinburgh and did any attend the same one as you or your children?

15 Edinburgh celebrities and the school they attended Gary Flockhart

Leith Walk was a bustling street in 1898, with horse-drawn trams taking people to and fro and shoppers peering at George Marr's fruit and sweet shop's window displays.

Looking back at Leith Walk in the 1800s and 1900s, in pictures Anna Bryan

Cybermen at the entrance to the National Museum Of Scotland at a preview for the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition at National Museum of Scotland in December. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

National Museum crowned Scotland’s most popular attraction Brian Ferguson

The former Royal High School on Edinburgh's Calton Hill is set to be turned into a new 'world-class centre for music education and public performance.' Image: Richard Murphy Architects

Work to begin 'immediately' on £55m music centre vision for Edinburgh landmark Brian Ferguson

With a history stretching back more than 4,000 years, Cairnpapple Hill near Bathgate in West Lothian is one of the most important neolithic sites in northern Europe. A Class II henge with either timber posts or standing stones was constructed over the hill top in around 3000 BC.

7 amazing prehistoric and ancient sites near Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Jonathan Hume sent in this colourful ticket stub from the Prince concert at Meadowbank Stadium in 1993, with 3 non blondes as support.. "Fantastic day," he said.

Retro Tickets stubs from 15 legendary Edinburgh gigs Kevin Quinn

Take a look through our photo gallery for a snapshot of Edinburgh life back in 1982, including a visit by Mick Jagger (left) and the Pope (right). Rolling Stones photo: Getty Images.

17 amazing photos of Edinburgh in 1982 Gary Flockhart

Try out quiz and see how many of the 12 questions you can get correct. Answers are in the final photo.

Quiz: Match 12 features to the landmarks they belong to Gary Flockhart

The Gladstone Memorial at the junction of George Street and St Andrew Square in 1953 shortly before it was moved to Coates Crescent.

33 photos showing how much Capital has changed Gary Flockhart

Fireworks exploded over Edinburgh Castle as the city's Hogmanay festival returned. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Hogmanay chiefs warn alcohol curbs will inflict “substantial damage" on culture Brian Ferguson

Locals are invited to the opening of the square and a guided tour of the refurbished station building. Image: ADP Architecture.

Take a tour of old railway station at opening event for new public square Ian Swanson

Here you can see The New Seekers on the West End of Princes Street, by a sign that points in the direction of the Usher Hall, where the Eurovision song contest took place. The New Seekers were the UK entry in 1972.

In pictures: When Edinburgh hosted Eurovision Gary Flockhart

The Miller Mausoleum, known locally as the Craigentinny Marbles, was commissioned in 1848 following the death of William Henry Miller. Photo: Wikepedia Commons

The curious story of The Craigentinny Marbles Gary Flockhart

Joan Eardley is among the painters who will be featured in the Dovecot Studios exhibition Scottish Women Artists - 250 Years of Challenging Perception.

Exhibition to celebrate 250 years of trailblazing female artists in Scotland Brian Ferguson

At the Disruption in 1843, the minister of St Mary's Church in Bellevue Crescent and a large group in the congregation broke away to form St Mary's Free Church. They met first in a building in Barony Street and in 1862 moved to a new building at the corner of Albany Street and Broughton Street. It cost £13,000, had a 180ft tower and was the pride of the Free Church - the Prince Consort was brought to see it during a visit to Edinburgh before it opened. On reunion with the Church of Scotland in 1929, the church was renmed Barony. And in 1933 it united with the congregation of nearby St James Place Church, becoming known as Barony & St James Place.
But the fabric of the building began to deteriorate and part of the tower had to be demolished. The church united with another congregation in 1956 to form Hillside Church In Greenside Place. The Barony building was sold to a theatrical costumier, and was demolished in 1983, to be replaced by offices.

Scaffolding on Barony & St James church at the junction of Albany Street and Broughton Street in Edinburgh, January 1983. It was being demolished.

8 churches which were once local landmarks but have now been lost Ian Swanson

The Woolworth department store which used to occupy the site at the corner of West Register Street and Princes Street.

Princes Street shops in the '60s to the '80s, in pictures Gary Flockhart

An Eastern Scottish bus crashed into the railings at the top of the Waverley Bridge, near the Waverley Market in Edinburgh in November 1970.

25 incredible images of Edinburgh in 1970 Gary Flockhart

Looking down Leith Street in Edinburgh towards Picardy Place in 1958. Picture shows (left hand side) the Top Deck restaurant, John Collier menswear and Timpson's shoe shop. All these shops were demolished to make way for St James Centre and King James Hotel in 1969.

In pictures: 17 incredible buildings we lost Gary Flockhart

Where in Edinburgh is this clock?

Can you identify these 16 Edinburgh clocks? Gary Flockhart

Part of the historic staircase could be removed to make room for a fire-fighting stair. (Photo credit: David Chipperfield Architects)

Part of historic staircase in Jenners building could be removed Anna Bryan

One woman bravely trudged through the heavy snow up Edinburgh's Royal Mile, after Storm Emma and the Beast from the East hit the Capital.

Looking back on the Beast from the East snow storm, in pictures Anna Bryan

A Black Lives Matter protest at the Melville Monument in June 2020. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Planning permission granted for removal of slavery plaque Donald Turvill

The Scottish Actor who boasted impressive roles from James Bond to Robin Hood, was born in the Fountainbridge area in 1930. Back then, he attended Tollcross Primary School but decided to leave education early at 13 to become a milkman. Unlikely origins for the man who would become one of Scotland’s most famous stars. He passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of many.

10 Famous Edinburgh Students: Celebrities who studied at Edinburgh schools Thomas Mackay

This commercial tower block in Birmingham city centre has been named as the ugliest building in the UK by photography experts ParrotPrint. Since it was erected in 1975, the building has housed office spaces, a nightclub and a theatre.

City building named among 10 ugliest buildings in UK Anna Bryan

The Melville Monument in Edinburgh was previously targeted by protesters. (Picture: Urquhart Media/BBC)

Officials back removal of statue's slavery plaque Ian Swanson

The family of David Bowie, pictured performing in 2004, has gifted his archives to the nation (Picture: Yui Mok/PA)

Bowie's archives will give a fascinating insight into his creative genius Susan Dalgety

Photo: Duncan McGlynn

Portraits at National Museum give insight clan society Jolene Campbell

Princes Street has changed massively over the last 100 years, as can be seen in these pictures.

In pictures: Princes Street through the years Gary Flockhart

Support crew member Jayne Emsley on board Flying Scotsman during its 100th birthday celebrations at Edinburgh Waverley on Friday. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Century-old Flying Scotsman ‘truly is the people’s engine’ – Mary Archer Alastair Dalton

Piper Kevin MacDonald from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, during an event at Edinburgh Waverley station to mark the day the world famous locomotive, Flying Scotsman, entered service on February 24 1923.

In pictures: Flying Scotsman steams into Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Flying Scotsman leaving Waverley Station in Edinburgh on Friday after a visit to commemorate its 100th birthday. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images

Flying Scotsman steam locomotive visits Edinburgh to mark its 100th birthday Alastair Dalton

Clockwise from left, Debbie Harry, Prince and The Beatles.

News In pictures: 10 legendary Edinburgh gigs Gary Flockhart

Demand for turntables and vinyl playing accessories remains strong. Picture: Scott Reid

Peak vinyl? Why there's plenty of life left in music industry's oldest format Scott Reid

Take a look through our photo gallery to be transported back in time.

In pictures: Edinburgh's suburbs down the decades Gary Flockhart

The Green Tree and Cas Rock are just two lost Edinburgh bars our readers have fond memories of.

The best lost pubs described by our readers Gary Flockhart

We take a look at the curious names of some of the Edinburgh's best known thoroughfares.

23 origins of Edinburgh street names Gary Flockhart

The People Against Fur Trade group took to the east end of Princes Street for a protest march on 18 January 2000.

In pictures: Edinburgh in the 2000s Gary Flockhart

We take a look at 19 lost Edinburgh institutions that are gone but not forgotten.

In pictures: 18 Edinburgh institutions we lost Gary Flockhart

Opened in 1980 as Scotland’s first indoor soft play area, it was a cool place for kids and a favourite venue for birthday parties in the 1990s. Before shutting in 2008, it welcomed one million children through its Grove Street doors.

Here are 15 photos which show what life was like growing up in 1990s Edinburgh Kevin Quinn

Saint Valentine wrote letters to the daughter of his captor's daughter, signed "from your valentine" (Picture: Shutterstock)

Who was Saint Valentine and why was he executed? love letters explained Chelsea Rocks

Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting was almost entirely written in Edinburgh (or more accurately Leith) slang

22 words and phrases you only hear in Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Jane Haining trained in Edinburgh and a dedication service was held at St Stephen's Church in the New Town before she left for Budapest.

Missionary who died in Holocaust to be honoured in Capital Ian Swanson

Kirsty Wark has interviewed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for the new BBC Scotland series The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland. Picture: Two Rivers Media/BBC

Kirsty Wark: Toxic atmosphere on social media is forcing women out of politics Brian Ferguson

Girls playing skipping ropes in Lapicide Place, Leith, in August 1957

Much of old Leith may be gone but photos have helped preserve the memories Steve Cardownie

Jane Haining gave her life trying to protect Jewish school girls during the Holocaust (Picture: Church of Scotland)

Scottish Holocaust victim should have a 'Stolperstein' memorial in city Angus Robertson

My word, our language constantly changes!

Some of our staple sayings have seen better days. Chris Page

Shetland pianist Amy Laurenson has been crowned Scotland’s best young traditional musician. Picture: Alan Peebles

Shetland pianist Amy Laurenson crowned Scotland’s best young trad musician Brian Ferguson

SeaBeds

Scotland's luxury cabins and lodges to escape to this winter Gaby Soutar

The legendary 60s rockers The Beatles visited the Capital, pictured at the ABC cinema in Lothian Road Edinburgh in 1964 ahead of their concerts there, with thousands of teenagers descending on the venue creating the Capital's very own piece of Beatlemania history.

A look back at what Edinburgh life was like in the swinging 60s Kevin Quinn

We asked Michelin star chef Tom Kitchin for his own take on Scotland’s national dish – and unsurprisingly, he cooked up a treat for us.

Tom Kitchin shares his Burns Night recipe Gary Flockhart

We take a look at some devastating fires that changed the face of Edinburgh forever.

In pictures: 13 fires that changed Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

Wrapped up against the early morning cold these intrepid bargain hunters are first in the queue at Blyth's department store in Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh for the start of the January sale, 1950s.

12 Capital department stores we have lost Gary Flockhart

Jenners in Princes Street, Edinburgh

A look back at Edinburgh's Princes Street department store through the years Rhona Shennan

Take a look through our picture gallery to see 10 Princes Street shops locals would like to see make a comeback.

11 Princes Street shops we miss, in pictures Gary Flockhart

The original Georgian Jenners buildings burned down in a terrible fire in 1892.

Jenners building Edinburgh: 17 key dates in the history of Edinburgh's famous Je... David McLean

Mikhail Gorbachev visited Scotland in his role of Chairman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Soviet Union in December 1984.

In pictures: A trip back to Edinburgh in 1984 Gary Flockhart

The MTV Europe Music Awards welcomed the likes of Beyonce, Pink, and Justin Timberlake to Leith's Ocean Terminal

Looking back on the time Edinburgh hosted the MTV Music Awards Anna Bryan

The operators of the King's Theatre in Edinburgh have warned it is at risk of permanent closure due to an £8.9 million funding gap for a long-awaited refurbishment.

'Last chance saloon' closure warning over £8.9m funding gap for King’s revamp Brian Ferguson

Here are 15 pictures of Edinburgh Burns Night celebrations over the years.

15 photos of Burns Night celebrations over the years Anna Bryan

Seven-year-old Rosa Thuemmler, whose family recently moved from central Germany to Edinburgh, having fun at the Gorgie Farm.

Look back at life in Gorgie and Dalry in 2013 Kevin Quinn

Take a look through our photo gallery to see 15 movies shot in Scotland’s capital city.

In pictures: 14 movies filmed in Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

New Year party goers can be seen here having a knees-up at the Tron Kirk in Edinburgh on Hogmanay, 1990.

In pictures: A trip back to 90s Edinburgh Gary Flockhart

We take a look at the Edinburgh buildings that some locals would like to see levelled to the ground.

In pictures: 7 of Edinburgh's 'ugliest' buildings 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

Woolworths had several stores in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

17 photos of Edinburgh's lost Woolworths stores Gary Flockhart

The National Theatre of Scotland show Thrown will be performed around Scotland to coincide with Highland Games events before a run at the Edinburgh International Festival in August. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

Thrown: The all-women stage show exploring ‘what it means to be Scottish’ Brian Ferguson