There’s no denying that Edinburgh has seen some very big changes down the decades – and yet Scotland’s capital remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
From the original trams and parades to large department stores and shopping centres, have a scroll through our photo gallery to see the city centre looking very different to how it does today.
![Aerial view of Edinburgh, showing Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Johnston Terrace.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmYxYTVjYmMxLThkMzYtNDZkOC04NDQ2LTc0NjJmNzIwN2E3ODpiODc4YjkxMC1hNDgxLTQ0ZjMtYWFhYy00YzNiMWE4ZGY1Yzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Aerial view of Edinburgh, showing Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Johnston Terrace
Aerial view of Edinburgh, showing Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Johnston Terrace. Photo: TSPL
![The St James Centre in 1974.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI4ZGExZjZiLWM4YTktNDY4ZC04MmRhLTBmMmZiMjJmYmY1ZToxZWVkNWI5Ny03ZTk1LTRhODItOTFjZC0wODBiNDI2YzAyNzc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Roneo Ltd and Radio and Television Rentals George Street](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjRjMWMwNDBkLTMyMmQtNDQ0Ny05Y2M4LTgwYWUxNjQzNTIwZjo4OTExZTA1ZS1iY2U5LTQ4OTMtOWNhMC00MWQxYTY0OGZmMTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. George Street shops 1960
Roneo Ltd and Radio and Television Rentals George Street Photo: TSPL
![Princes Street and the North British Hotel from Bank of Scotland.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdhOGM1OWRhLTMzYzgtNDEyNi04NjdlLTMzMzQzMjFkNWFmNzo4NjM4MDc1Zi0yYTcwLTQ5YTEtODM0OC0zMjUyZTUzOTRmNmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Edinburgh Views 1962
Princes Street and the North British Hotel from Bank of Scotland. Photo: TSPL