The city’s industrial landscape was being rapidly altered. Defunct and disused docklands and shipyards littered the banks of the Clyde, while Clydebank’s world-famous Singer sewing factory, once a major employer in the Greater Glasgow region, also finally closed its doors following years of uncertainty.
In sport, frustrations boiled over towards the end of the 1980 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park. A riot broke out with dozens of supporters injured in violent scenes as mounted police struggled to quell the chaos. The shameful incident resulted in the permanent banning of alcohol at all Scottish football stadia.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The city had a world lightweight boxing champion in Bridgeton-born fighter Jim Watt, local fizzy drinks legends Irn-Bru were celebrating their 150th birthday, while Glaswegians also enjoyed a revamped underground system with fancy new trains.
So sit back, take a look and reminiscence with the following photos that capture Glasgow in 1980.
5. Irn-Bru's 150 anniversary 1980
Graham Barr raises a glass beside a cake to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Irn-Bru company in Glasgow in August 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Bill Newton
6. Margot Fonteyn book signing
Ballet dancer Dame Margot Fonteyn signing copies of her book 'Magic of the Dance' at John Smith's bookshop in Glasgow, January 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Gordon Rule
7. Singer factory workers
Workers leaving the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank, a major employer in the Greater Glasgow region, which finally closed down in 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Gordon Rule
8. Enrico Cocazza 1980
Scottish documentary film-maker Enrico Cocazza in Glasgow, March 1980. | JPIMedia Photo: Allan Milligan