Aerial photo of Leith Walk, showing the old railway bridge, which is no longer there, and the foot of Leith Walk looking north to Princes Street in October 1977.Aerial photo of Leith Walk, showing the old railway bridge, which is no longer there, and the foot of Leith Walk looking north to Princes Street in October 1977.
Aerial photo of Leith Walk, showing the old railway bridge, which is no longer there, and the foot of Leith Walk looking north to Princes Street in October 1977.

17 great photos of Edinburgh from above in the 1970s and 80s

Archive photos of Edinburgh from the skies

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn
Published 4th Feb 2024, 04:45 BST

We've taken a look back into our photo archive to find these great photos of Edinburgh from above in the 1970s and 80s.

These fascinating shots from the sky show there have been some major changes to the capital city's landscape since they were taken.

The photos show how different areas like Leith and the block where St James Quarter now stands were 40-50 years ago.

An aerial view of the then recently built Edinburgh University buildings beside the McEwan Hall in Edinburgh, June 1972.

1. Edinburgh University

An aerial view of the then recently built Edinburgh University buildings beside the McEwan Hall in Edinburgh, June 1972. Photo: National World

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Looking over St James Centre at the top of Leith Street in Edinburgh, from Calton Hill, September 1985.

2. St James Centre

Looking over St James Centre at the top of Leith Street in Edinburgh, from Calton Hill, September 1985. Photo: National World

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Aerial photo taken in 1979 of Great Junction Street in Leith where it crosses the Water of Leith looking east. Also in picture, Leith hospital (centre) and the Cables Wynd housing development (top)

3. Great Junction Street Bridge

Aerial photo taken in 1979 of Great Junction Street in Leith where it crosses the Water of Leith looking east. Also in picture, Leith hospital (centre) and the Cables Wynd housing development (top) Photo: National World

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Overview of the redevelopment of the Pleasance, St Leonards and Southside, Edinburgh in 1970. Edinburgh Castle in seen in the background, to the left.

4. Southside

Overview of the redevelopment of the Pleasance, St Leonards and Southside, Edinburgh in 1970. Edinburgh Castle in seen in the background, to the left. Photo: National World

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