Pictures of South Edinburgh’s tower blocks from days gone by have been found in an online archive - giving a fascinating glimpse of the past.
The gallery, provided by Professor Miles Glendinning of the University of Edinburgh, shows many high-rise buildings from across the country. Here in the capital, we see many structures that were razed to the ground only a few decades after they were constructed.
While many post-war flats have become listed buildings, several disappeared at the turn of the century due to poor conditions and a rise in crime. Check out the gallery below, and take a walk down memory lane.
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The Oxgangs tower blocks of Allermuir Court, Caerketton Court, and Capelaw Court took their names from the nearby Pentland Hills.
Originally branded the ‘Comiston Luxury Flats’, they boasted views across the city and a far better quality of life than the inner city tenements. After completion in 1962, it was only a few years before the cracks began to show.
Problems such as damp came to light and many of the original tenants moved into other housing in the early 70s. By the 80s, the blocks were run-down and known for being a hub of crime.
The towers were suffering and slowly falling into a state of disrepair and by 2000 a meeting was held to decide the future of the Oxgang structures. Work began in 2003 on demolishing the buildings, with Capelaw Court first to go.
The demolition was screened on the National Geographic Channel, with the other two towers razed to the ground in 2006.
Elsewhere in the city, Professor Miles Glendinning captured Soutra Court in Gracemount. First approved in 1960, the building contained 82 homes.
It was demolished after 87 percent of tenants voted in accordance with the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposals.
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Over in Wester Hailes, the area saw towers developed in the late 60s. Campaigners battled to save the 300 acres of farmland, though the proposals were pushed through with 500 more homes than originally planned.
Parks, lakeside views, and walking spaces that had been promised were few and far between. The community grouped together throughout the following decades to create community huts, the Wester Hailes Education Centre was constructed, and tenants were feeling more hopeful.
That being said, the lifespan of many tower blocks at Wester Hailes was much shorter than anticipated. Wester Hailes Park and Westburn Gardens, along with several others - were razed to the ground in 1994.
The last buildings in the archive, Teviotbank and Tweedsmuir House, were demolished in 1991.
Crowds gathered to watch as the tower was blown up, though the detonation failed. It took experts nine hours to topple the tower blocks with a mechanical digger.
A version of this article first appeared on Edinburgh Live on July 7, 2022.
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