42 photos capturing the thrill of summer holidays in Scotland during the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s
Holidaymakers are pictured paddling at the beach, taking the plunge at the lido and cruising down the river in these nostalgic images.
Trips to the zoo, where visitors are pictured watching the popular penguin parade; pony rides; and summer fairs, where the attractions included a dog on a scooter, are among the summer activities captured in these atmospheric black and white pictures.
Sunbathers are shown soaking up the rays, or using any means possible to cool down as the sun shines, but crowds are also seen huddled in the rain when the summer weather wasn't being so kind.
A floating museum, a Scottish football legend getting mobbed by young fans, and fun times at the fairground are among the other memorable images of yesteryear captured in this gallery.
Do these photos bring back any happy memories for you of summers past?
Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at www.yourworld.net/submit. It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
1 . School's out for summer
Joy as school ends for the summer holidays and the race is on to get the summer started in Edinburgh in 1959 | TSPL Photo: TSPL Photo Sales
2 . Cooling down
Families enjoying the summer sunshine at Portobello open-air swimming pool near Edinburgh in July 1971 | TSPL Photo: TSPL Photo Sales
3 . Soaking up the sun
Sunbathing office workers relax in the summer sunshine in George Square, Glasgow, in June 1969 | TSPL Photo: TSPL Photo Sales
4 . Denis Law
Scotland international football player Denis Law is mobbed by young fans at the Soccer Summer School at Peffermill in August 1983 | TSPL Photo: TSPL Photo Sales
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Edinburgh Reporter
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Athens of the North ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A delivery driver. A student. A confused elderly lady. You might not think these three would have much in common. But on a single day in Edinburgh their paths will intersect. In Athens of the North, writer and solo performer Mark Hannah brings all three characters richly to life; their struggles, their foibles, their small, important, pleasures are laid before us in this accomplished show. First up is Alan He's a delivery driver for Sound Asleep, and we first meet him as he studies the menu in a curry house. He's a typical (aging) lad, full of beer and bravado. His riff on the menu's 'a la carte' section had the audience in fits just two minutes into the show. Hannah is a remarkably versatile actor; he not only inhabits all three of his characters, but even acts out Alan doing an impression of his annoying teetotal boss Brian. It's not the same since Brian's Dad went – back then they used to have fun. But today Alan is in a hurry. If he doesn't get to his daughter Erin's concert at St Giles' Cathedral there'll be hell to pay with his ex-partner. So he rushes off to do his last delivery, only to find it brings back childhood memories he'd rather forget. As Alan floors it back to get to the cathedral by 12, the audience holds its breath, and for more reasons than one. We are holding our collective breath as we see the van charging into the crowded Old Town. What happens next? You'll need to see the show to find out, but let me tell you your emotions will be pulled in every which way as Hannah threads the past and the present together to reveal the man beneath the macho swagger. Hannah's second character isn't from Edinburgh at all. Liam's a working class London boy on a scholarship to study Meteorology at university. He's fascinated by his subject, but when he goes on a last minute holiday to Zante with his friends (cue hilarious description of their 'budget' hotel) he's also fascinated by the Scottish girl he meets there. Meteorological observations, the Beaufort Scale, the humidity; Liam still has time to notice these even as he enjoys their first kiss. When his new love tells him he 'should see the weather in Edinburgh' he takes her at her word. Back in London he takes the train to Waverley on a whim. Hannah gives us a great sketch of a Londoner looking for CockburnStreet and later seeing Stockbridge ('like Disney!') for the first time – but although there's humour, Liam's impressions of Edinburgh are interspersed with lyrical moments too. He looks up at the castle and imagines his 'princess' waiting for him; he watches the Water of Leith, 'it just flows, no calculation, it just is.' And on his way to meet his princess, he walks straight into a man running towards St Giles' Cathedral. Does Liam disappear into the happy ever after with his dream girl? Or does he end up sitting on the top deck of a bus with a rambling old lady? I'm not saying – but again, Hannah ends the piece on a beautifully optimistic note. Cameo three isn't anything like the other two. For this one Hannah needs a handbag, as he morphs into Maureen, an old lady and long time resident of Annandale Street. We first meet Maureen having a crafty fag in her strictly non-smoking care home. She's chatting with her carer, Ross. She likes him better than her son Peter, who's sold her flat and put her – quite unnecessarily in her opinion – into West Edinburgh Residential Care. Hannah creates a convincing study of a woman slowly descending into dementia. Maureen has a mouth like a sewer (she could beat Alan hands down in a swearing match) and some sharp words to say about a lot of things. She reluctantly accepts that she's been forgetting why she went out shopping, but she still remembers all the boxes from her house sale, and she gives a priceless and instantly recognisable description of the buyer, all set to gentrify her home of sixty years. It's easy to imagine this guy's face when Maureen, in characteristically salty terms, puts him right about his chances of staying very long in her flat. But Maureen mostly lapses into memories, weaving in and out of reality as she tells us Alec (her deceased husband) will be coming in soon. She sees him at the end of her bed, imagines he's asking her to go home with him. Soon she's taken herself to the bus stop – and when, on the top deck, a sad young Londoner asks her if she's ok, she's convinced he's Peter. And no, she's not pleased to see him. Although it's certainly not necessary to know Edinburgh to enjoy this show, some references will particularly hit home with locals. Maureen's thoughts on the St James's Shopping Centre raised a lot of laughs with Saturday's audience, as did Alan's opinions on a prawn curry. And again, the ending of Maureen's story is poignant rather than tragic. As she reaches the last part of her eventful life, she's happy reliving her memories with Ross. He looks after her ('better than Peter'!!!) Athens of the North is a very entertaining show, and one that's full of humanity. It's not only the rich and famous who have a story to tell; people are endlessly fascinating, and Mark Hannah brings these three vignettes of 'ordinary' people's lives to the stage with tremendous warmth and skill. The audience loved the show, and so did I. Athens of the North is at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street (Venue 30) at 3.15pm every day until 9 August, then on alternate days (starting with 11 August) until 23 August. Like this: Like Related
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Storm Floris: Scots urged to stay indoors to avoid 85mph winds
Scots are being urged to stay indoors as Storm Floris approaches. Much of Scotland will be battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph, the Met Office warned as it upgraded warnings to amber. The forecaster said injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties. Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be impacted, including air and road transport. The warning for 'unseasonably' strong winds will come into force at 10am on Monday for 12 hours across most of the central belt and north of the country. A yellow warning for other parts of Scotland will be in place from 6am until midnight. Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, although strong winds and rain will likely lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals. On Sunday night, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm. Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times. Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that will close at noon. Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm. LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, as it warned it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. ⚠️Travel Alert – Mon, 4 Aug⚠️ Storm Floris will bring unseasonably strong winds across Scotland. ‼️A number of routes will be withdrawn from 12:00 with speed restrictions on all other routes. Check our app/website/JourneyCheck page tomorrow for service info prior to travel. — ScotRail (@ScotRail) August 3, 2025 Forecasters have warned people who are outdoors to avoid walking or seeking shelter near buildings or trees, said said that loose items including bins and garden furniture could blow away unless secured. Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure the country is ready for the storm, adding: 'Given the unusual timing, and the fact some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm. 'Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country. 'This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however the message is the same as winter – plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don't take any unnecessary risks.' Those driving in poor weather have been urged to avoid the worst-hit areas and slow down when on the roads while allowing time for delays. The Met Office said there was the potential for power cuts in some areas as well as disruption to mobile phone coverage. #StormFloris has been named It is forecast to bring unseasonably strong winds to the UK on Monday along with heavy rain Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ — Met Office (@metoffice) August 1, 2025 The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Storm Floris: Scots urged to stay indoors to avoid 85mph winds
Much of Scotland will be battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph, the Met Office warned as it upgraded warnings to amber. The forecaster said injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties. Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be impacted, including air and road transport. The warning for 'unseasonably' strong winds will come into force at 10am on Monday for 12 hours across most of the central belt and north of the country. A yellow warning for other parts of Scotland will be in place from 6am until midnight. Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, although strong winds and rain will likely lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals. On Sunday night, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm. Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times. Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that will close at noon. Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm. LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, as it warned it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. ⚠️Travel Alert – Mon, 4 Aug⚠️ Storm Floris will bring unseasonably strong winds across Scotland. ‼️A number of routes will be withdrawn from 12:00 with speed restrictions on all other routes. Check our app/website/JourneyCheck page tomorrow for service info prior to travel. — ScotRail (@ScotRail) August 3, 2025 Forecasters have warned people who are outdoors to avoid walking or seeking shelter near buildings or trees, said said that loose items including bins and garden furniture could blow away unless secured. Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure the country is ready for the storm, adding: 'Given the unusual timing, and the fact some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm. 'Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country. 'This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however the message is the same as winter – plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don't take any unnecessary risks.' Those driving in poor weather have been urged to avoid the worst-hit areas and slow down when on the roads while allowing time for delays. The Met Office said there was the potential for power cuts in some areas as well as disruption to mobile phone coverage. #StormFloris has been named It is forecast to bring unseasonably strong winds to the UK on Monday along with heavy rain Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ — Met Office (@metoffice) August 1, 2025 The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
