Comedian Billy Connolly pictured with the Scottish Coal Queen Miss Sandra Carruthers, of Cumnock, during the heyday of the Scottish Miners' Gala in Edinburgh, on June 12, 1976placeholder image
Comedian Billy Connolly pictured with the Scottish Coal Queen Miss Sandra Carruthers, of Cumnock, during the heyday of the Scottish Miners' Gala in Edinburgh, on June 12, 1976 | TSPL

Scotland retro: 39 atmospheric photos bring the 70s back to life, from famous faces to lost department stores

If you grew up in Scotland during the 1970s, these photos are sure to bring memories of an unforgettable decade flooding back.

The 70s were a period of great change across Scotland.

It was a tough decade for many, with the decline of the coal mining and shipbuilding industries leading to high unemployment.

But there were good times too, as these photos chronicling life across Scotland throughout the decade show.

They capture lost shops, vanished landmarks, school life, festival fun, and much more.

In one memorable image, a boy is pictured living out his Wild West fantasy in the toy section of the much-missed Jenners department store in Edinburgh.

Another shows the old Bluevale tower blocks looming over Glasgow, and a third features youngsters munching candyfloss at a popular funfair in Fife.

Stars of the day, including Morecambe and Wise, the Bay City Rollers, and Paul McCartney cradling a baby Stella McCartney, during his Wings era, are pictured in this retro photo gallery.

The buzz surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest, life on the factory floor, 70s fashions, and filming for a new TV show also feature in this nostalgic look back at how we lived half a century ago.

Do these photos bring back any memories for you? If you enjoyed these pictures, you may enjoy this round-up of the best images from the 70s across the UK.

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