16 lost Edinburgh cinemas that are gone but not forgotten

By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2019, 19:34 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2019, 20:45 BST
U.C.I. Multicomplex. at Kinnaird Park Edinburghplaceholder image
U.C.I. Multicomplex. at Kinnaird Park Edinburgh

TODAY there are less than a dozen cinemas in Edinburgh, but once upon a time there were around a dozen for just about every postcode.

George Baird’s list, Edinburgh Theatres, Cinemas and Circuses: 1820-1963, names more than 120 cinemas in the Capital. Many of them opened in 1913, the boom year for cinema. Most have long since been demolished; even the ones that became bingo halls are starting to be replaced by luxury flats. Here are 16 lost Edinburgh cinemas which many of you may fondly recall.

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The UCI was the first multiplex cinema in Edinburgh. Now demolished and replaced.placeholder image
The UCI was the first multiplex cinema in Edinburgh. Now demolished and replaced.
The Caley Cinema which is now a Wetherspoons pub. Pictured is the dog who played Bobby outside the cinema for the premiere of Disney's Greyfriars Bobby film.placeholder image
The Caley Cinema which is now a Wetherspoons pub. Pictured is the dog who played Bobby outside the cinema for the premiere of Disney's Greyfriars Bobby film.
Exterior of the State cinema in Leith, which closed its doors in the 1970s. Recently reopened for the Hidden Door Festival.placeholder image
Exterior of the State cinema in Leith, which closed its doors in the 1970s. Recently reopened for the Hidden Door Festival.
The former Alhambra cinema near the Foot of Leith Walk which was demolished in the 1960s.placeholder image
The former Alhambra cinema near the Foot of Leith Walk which was demolished in the 1960s.
Pooles Roxy on Gorgie Road is said to have been a favourite haunt of John Lennon's when visiting his aunt in Edinburgh.placeholder image
Pooles Roxy on Gorgie Road is said to have been a favourite haunt of John Lennon's when visiting his aunt in Edinburgh.
Exterior of The Regent cinema in Abbeyhill which was earmarked for demolition in the 1970s.placeholder image
Exterior of The Regent cinema in Abbeyhill which was earmarked for demolition in the 1970s.
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