Edinburgh Commonwealth Games 1970 in Pictures: Here are 22 fascinating photos of the first time Scotland hosted the Games

It was the first of four times that the Commonwealth Games have come to Scotland - including this year’s Glasgow Games.

Today (Thursday, July 23) sees the Opening Ceremony of this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games, firing the starting gun on 10 days of sporting action.

Last time the city held the event in 2014 it was a huge success - with many hailing it as the best Games ever.

This year it’s been scaled back somewhat after Glasgow stepped in at the last minute when Victoria in Australia abandoned plans to host due to spiraling costs.

But there will still be lots to enjoy, with around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing across 10 different sports, from boxing to swimming.

The first Commonwealth Games, then called the British Empire Games, was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.

Since then, the Games have come to Scotland four times - those two Glasgow games and two earlier events in Edinburgh in 1970 and 1985.

The 1970 edition was called the British Commonwealth Games and took place from July 16-25.

A total of 1,744 athletes took part in 121 in 10 sports (the same number as in Glasgow this year) with the majority of the Games taking place at Meadowbank Stadium.

Australia just pipped England in the medal table with 36 golds, while Scotland came a creditable fourth, winning 25 medals including six golds.

Here are 22 pictures to take you back to all the sporting action.

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1. Child's play

Children carry the Queen's Baton through the streets of Edinburgh. | Iconic

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2. Champion

Scottish athlete Lachie Stewart with his gold medal, won in the Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres final at Meadowbank stadium Edinburgh in July 1970. | TSPL