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Edinburgh photos transport us back the long gone tower blocks of the 1980s

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
AuthorLee Dalgetty
Published date18 June 2022
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
Since then the area has seen redevelopments, demolishings, and alternative housing options - and looks very different to the sea of tower blocks that once stood. While many of the high rises still stand today, the area is almost unrecognisable in flashback photos captured throughout the 80s

The concept of Wester Hailes was one born from demand, and originally intended to create 4,000 homes. Right after the Second World War, people needed more appropriate housing to get away from the dilapidated tenements that were no longer livable.

READ MORE -14 photos of Edinburgh's long lost high rises

Hundreds of families were living in cramped, dated properties - with threats of disease and a lack of facilities. Many of these families included those who had not long returned from war, and something had to be done.

The hopes for Wester Hailes would rival Castlemilk in Glasgow, as being one of the largest housing developments proposed in Europe at the time. Prior to construction, the land consisted of rolling fields with a few small homes.

While some locals campaigned to save the 300 acres of farmland, the development was eventually pushed through and designs drawn up in 1966. In the early days of completion, there were very few amenities available for the new tenants - and 500 extra homes were included 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...

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