Situated off the bottom of Leith Walk, Leith Waterworld opened in 1992 and was a must visit attraction for Edinburgh's kids in the 90s thanks to its flumes, wave machine and a fast river run. It sadly closed its doors for good in January 2012.Situated off the bottom of Leith Walk, Leith Waterworld opened in 1992 and was a must visit attraction for Edinburgh's kids in the 90s thanks to its flumes, wave machine and a fast river run. It sadly closed its doors for good in January 2012.
Situated off the bottom of Leith Walk, Leith Waterworld opened in 1992 and was a must visit attraction for Edinburgh's kids in the 90s thanks to its flumes, wave machine and a fast river run. It sadly closed its doors for good in January 2012.

Edinburgh retro: 15 brilliant pictures which will take you back to 1990s Edinburgh

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 21st Sep 2023, 21:06 BST
Updated 6th Jan 2024, 14:52 BST
A look back at what life was like in Edinburgh in the 1990s

Edinburgh in the 1990s was a very different city to the one we know today. It was a time before online shopping, social media and video games.

Everyone who grew up in the city during that time will have memories of day trips, nights out and visits to meeting spots that didn’t stand the test of time. Fashions, music and even the Edinburgh skyline were different to the ones we know today.

Take a look through our picture gallery to transport yourself back to Edinburgh the 1990s.

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Take a look through our picture gallery to transport yourself back to Edinburgh the 1990s.

Unlike today when Edinburgh kids only tend to care about the big English and foreign football teams and star players, Capital kids all had their favourite Scottish football team, with what seemed like every kid walking the streets at the time in a Scottish football club's top on, at a time when football strips became a must-have item and clubs started to release new strips more often. It's hard to imagine now, but you couldn't leave your house in Edinburgh in the 90s without seeing a kid in a Hearts or Hibs top. Pictured above is Hibs' Pat McGinlay shielding the ball from opponent Ally Mauchlen during a Hibs v Hearts Edinburgh Derby football match on New Year's Day 1993, which finished 0-0.

13. Football tops

Unlike today when Edinburgh kids only tend to care about the big English and foreign football teams and star players, Capital kids all had their favourite Scottish football team, with what seemed like every kid walking the streets at the time in a Scottish football club's top on, at a time when football strips became a must-have item and clubs started to release new strips more often. It's hard to imagine now, but you couldn't leave your house in Edinburgh in the 90s without seeing a kid in a Hearts or Hibs top. Pictured above is Hibs' Pat McGinlay shielding the ball from opponent Ally Mauchlen during a Hibs v Hearts Edinburgh Derby football match on New Year's Day 1993, which finished 0-0. Photo: Graeme Hunter

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This nightclub on Lothian Road was almost a right of passage for Edinburgh teens when they could finally legally enter its hallowed doors and hit the large dancefloor. The venue changed its name to Revolution in the late 90s after a major renovation, before later being transformed into the Picture House gig venue and is now a Weatherspoons pub.

14. Century 2000

This nightclub on Lothian Road was almost a right of passage for Edinburgh teens when they could finally legally enter its hallowed doors and hit the large dancefloor. The venue changed its name to Revolution in the late 90s after a major renovation, before later being transformed into the Picture House gig venue and is now a Weatherspoons pub. Photo: JEFF MITCHELL

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The flumes at The Royal Commonwealth Pool (the Commie) were a must visit location for teens in the 90s. Pictured are The River Rapids, Vortex and Twister water slides, with another, The Stingray, billed as 'the fastest flume in Europe' - with the narrow tube shooting you down to pool level in a matter of seconds and left boys having to make sure their shorts didn't come down due to the force of the water!

15. The Commie flumes

The flumes at The Royal Commonwealth Pool (the Commie) were a must visit location for teens in the 90s. Pictured are The River Rapids, Vortex and Twister water slides, with another, The Stingray, billed as 'the fastest flume in Europe' - with the narrow tube shooting you down to pool level in a matter of seconds and left boys having to make sure their shorts didn't come down due to the force of the water! Photo: Jack Crombie

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