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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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Jacob Farr

Mesmerising footage shows Edinburgh city centre life in 1930s

A fantastic video that has been brought back to life shows what the streets of the capital were like back in 1934.

The footage which was originally created by documentarian Marion Grierson has been brought back to life by YouTube channel Living History AI Enhanced.

The film was created on behalf of the Travel and Industrial Development Association film unit to show all that was on offer to visitors of Edinburgh.

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Throughout the reel there are incredible visuals showing packed streets that are filled with shops, trams, cars and locals dressed in stunning attire.

At first the film talks about the fantastic rail links between London and Edinburgh. A steam train is shown coming across the Forth Rail Bridge before it travels into Waverley Station.

Kids are seen wearing flat caps in the city centre streets that are filled with the trams of the time.

Princes Street is buzzing with activity as hoards of people walking up and down the street which is awash with stores.

Old fashioned cars are seen lining the streets as locals and tourists are seen walking by the Waverley Station steps.

The West End 1934. (Living History AI Enhanced)

Men are seen in top hats whilst woman wear long skirts and a Willie Barr & Ross van is seen driving down George Street.

The West End looks eerily recognisable but yet at the same time there are stark differences with the Hotel Rutland in place of what is now the Huxley bar.

The old Bank of Scotland building is showcased before a man in all tweed smoking a cigarette is shown alongside a female companion outside of a posh sports shop.

A man and woman in smart attire outside of a Princes Street store. (Living History AI Enhanced)

Throughout the film the Edinburgh trams are shown packed full of travellers as they attend the city centre gardens and shops.

The iconic Royal Mile features with carts and busy shops stretching as far as the eye can see - an A.F.Gooday tailors is spotted in one of the closes.

Princes Street in 1934. (Living History AI Enhanced)

Edinburgh Castle and the Holyrood Palace are also given considerable coverage with military men in kilts and bayonets fixed across their shoulder marching in unison.

The film ends with a large performance of highlanders in kilts as bagpipes and drums entertain a large crowd outside of the castle promenade.

Let us know in the comments if any of your relatives have memories of the inter-war years and feel free to share any photographs from the era.

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