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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Lee Dalgetty

Rare Edinburgh footage shows 1977 Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in Niddrie

Footage found online dating back to the 70s shows celebrations in Niddrie, as people up and down the country took to the streets to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 25 years of reign.

Locals distributed union flags dressed in their Sunday best, while some keen youngsters in the video took some household objects to dress up as the Queen.

Large-scale parties and parades were seen across the country throughout 1977, culminating with the official Jubilee Days which coincided with the Queen’s Official Birthday.

READ MORE - Edinburgh Platinum Jubilee celebrations announced for Princes Street Gardens

With flag-filled streets decorated with bunting as far as the eye could see, each area of Britain was ready to celebrate with neighbours - and Niddrie was no different.

This week, the country will once again be celebrating - this time marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Having served the country for 70 years, she is the only British monarch to reach this milestone.

Queen Victoria was the previous longest-reigning British monarch, however, her 64 years has now been eclipsed by the longevity of her great-great-granddaughter.

While street parties with neighbours may not be as common in 2022, those looking to mark the occasion can head down to West Princes Street Gardens for a free event with live music and big screen entertainment. That being said, the footage uploaded to YouTube by Craigmillar Gold has got us feeling nostalgic for the old fashioned street parties.

The Silver Jubilee saw excitement throughout the Commonwealth, with the Queen embarking on Royal Visits around the globe. Here in Edinburgh, the Craigmillar Festival Society held a street party to commemorate the anniversary.

Only a few weeks prior, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were on a walkabout in Craigmillar as part of their extensive 1977 tour. Huge crowds had gathered outside the Jack Kane Centre to welcome the royal couple.

Not all had gathered in support, with demonstrators from the Scottish Socialist League reportedly chanting: “Parasites.”

The chants reached the Queen’s ears as she shook the hands of locals, but she ignored them. Prince Philip on the other hand, asked a local woman who the chanting people were - to which she replied: “Don’t pay any attention to them.”

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The demonstrators, who held banners pushing for the abolition of the monarchy, were met with screams from the much larger group in support of the Queen, who chanted: “We want the Queen.”

Making her way into the Kane Centre, the Windsors spotted a corgi belonging to a Leith woman - and made their way quickly in her direction.

When the Queen had arrived in Edinburgh to begin her five-day Silver Jubilee visit in Scotland, the Aberdeen Evening Express reported: “Edinburgh gave a cheering, flag-waving welcome to the Queen today as she drove in state procession with other members of the Royal Family.”

However, it wasn’t all smiles - with one female admirer of Prince Charles receiving a prickly response. When she asked him to give her a grin, he replied: “What do you think I am b****y well doing?”

Their Scottish tour ended back in Edinburgh, with a youth pageant held at Meadowbank Stadium. On May 25, the Queen and Duke watched on as groups of children from different pockets of Scotland performed various talents.

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