Undiscovered Scotland

 

"Now That's What I Call Edinburgh" by Jack Gillon is a fascinating collection of old photographs. It sets out to capture Edinburgh in the decades of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, a period during which the city underwent huge change. There are actually several distinct sets of photographs here. The first, in a section taking up the first half of the book entitled "Transformation", is like the "before" set of images from a "before and after" book. The second section looks at "Edinburgh Life" and takes as its focus the people of Edinburgh, with particular reference to the Festival. Then there is a shorter section looking at "Commerce and Industry" and another that looks at "Leith".

The publisher's description sets out the background to and aims of the book: "The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were decades of great change. Many towns and cities were redeveloped with projects that dramatically affected the character of the place. People’s shopping habits were altered as supermarkets took over from traditional stores and corner shops. Leisure habits were changing too, as cheap air travel led to the arrival of the foreign package holiday and a new range of leisure facilities were developed at home. Fashions, as ever, were changing in this period, reflecting radical changes in society and the ways in which we viewed ourselves. Transport also evolved, with a move away from the railway and buses, creating a strain on the roads and leading to new road schemes."

It continues: "These changes in people’s habits and lifestyles were keenly felt in Scotland’s capital as the city grew in size. Old and dilapidated housing was demolished, to be replaced by new housing estates; other areas were redeveloped and new shopping centres were built, universities were expanding and many long-established pastimes and activities, cultural centres and places of leisure were evolving. Local author Jack Gillon recaptures it all in this fascinating portrayal of the city and its people over the course of these most nostalgic decades."