Nowadays, there are new businesses and opportunities opening up every week in Edinburgh, presenting locals with too much choice for a night out, shopping spree or action-packed afternoon.
Pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and tourist attractions are constantly coming and going, some changing for the better, but some robbing us of some iconic childhood memories.
With a lot of buildings being converted into student accommodation or offices, many will argue that some of the recent changes within the city haven't necessarily been positive.
However, the city is thriving and is known for one of the most attractive places to either visit, or reside, in the UK.
As is always the case with change, though, there are trails of memories left behind.
In this case, there are endless memories from Edinburgh locals' childhood, some of which we have compiled to bring some of those racing to the surface. From forgotten clubs, to family-favourite shops, the capital has certainly lost a lot of gems in its time.
READ MORE: Edinburgh city centre's lost clubs and bars of 2008 and what's there now
Your formative years were probably spent at places that are now gone, but they're certainly not forgotten. From clubs where you loved to party with your pals to weird and wonderful shops and places you visited with your family, many of them can no longer be found today.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 19 things you used to be able to do in Edinburgh but can’t anymore - can you remember any of them?
1. Go down the slides at the Commie pool
Tragic footage of the flumes being demolished (Image: Youtube)
They were removed in 2000, possibly due to the constantly repeated urban myth that there were razor blades embedded in the flumes that would slice off your legs. RIP River Rapids, Twister and Vortex.
2. Feed the fish at the National Museum
The fish were the best bit of the museum (Image: Geograph / Creative Commons)
The ponds were removed during the refurbishment in 2011, we're hoping the goldfish all found loving forever homes.
3. Mosh the night away at the Citrus Club...
We loved to rage against the machine in here (Image: Yelp)
The popular rock and metal venue has closed - replaced with the similar but much less sticky-floored 4042.
4. Not to mention Espionage
Bye, Espionage. Sorry we stopped visiting as often (Image: Espionage / Facebook)
It finally closed its multi-level, vaguely James Bond themed doors in June.
5. Shop at the Disney Store on Princes Street
It was always covered in scaffolding for some reason (Image: Yelp)
You always ended up wandering in, even if you had no need for a £12.99 Dumbo toy or a Lion King backpack.
6. Have a wild time at Leith Waterworld
It was even more bad news for flume fans when Leith Waterworld lost its fight against closure in 2012. The only swimming pool with flumes in the city was sold off to help fund the £37m redevelopment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
7. Get splinters at the original Dalkeith Country Park playground
(Image: Geograph / Creative Commons)
There's now a fancy new park called Fort Douglas and you actually have to pay to get in. Sacrilege!
8. Go to see a movie at the Odeon on Clerk Street
The beautiful building has been neglected in recent years (Image: thenewvictoria.com)
This beautiful art deco cinema opened in 1930 and is the only surviving example of an atmospheric cinema in the UK; with star-dotted ceilings and pillars that made it seem like you were in a Greek amphitheatre. Sadly it's been left to effectively rot since closing its doors in the '00s.
9. Or at the UCI cinema at Fort Kinnaird
You probably spent most of your Saturdays here (Image: scottishcinemas.org.uk)
It wasn't quite as atmospheric or historically valuable as the Odeon, but it was a great place to catch the latest releases.
10. Get an ice cream at Mr. Bonis
A literal tragedy (Image: Geograph / Creative Commons)
The amazing ice cream parlour in Tollcross closed in 2002 after more than 100 years of trading. The shop has changed hands about 101,449 times since then (we might be exaggerating, but it does always seem to be something different).
11. Shop at the St. James Centre
It was ugly as hell, but we still (somehow) have fond memories of it (Image: Geograph / Creative Commons)
The centre recently benefited from a huge £1 billion redevelopment, culminating in dozens of new shops and restaurants, as well as entertainment venues, a new cinema and even a hotel, being built.
It's now one of the biggest and most popular shopping centres in the country.
12. Hang out with orangutan (swings) at Fort Saughton
Fort Saughton was even better than Dalkeith Country Park (Image: Facebook)
Fort Saughton was filled with amazing swings - including ones in the shape of orangutans, epic slides, and awesome climbing frames that would keep you busy for hours.
13. Look down the wee hole at the Lothian Buses driver
The original Periscope App (Image: Facebook)
Before buses had CCTV, they had a wee hole that pointed up at a mirror - as if the driver was actually piloting a submarine.
14. Get a communicable disease in the ball pool at Little Marco's
You also got to get your photo taken with Marco Bear (Image: twitter.com/marcospoolhall)
It was the best place to have a fun birthday party, and also get a rash.
15. Watch the skateboarders in Bristo Square
It's just not the same anymore (Image: Facebook)
It's changed so much. Where are we meant to go and watch people fall over these days?
16. Rent a video at Vogue Video or Blockbuster
Who was actually using this place, honestly? (Image: Yell.com)
Vogue Video on Clerk Street only closed down a few months ago - how did it stay open for so long in the post-Netflix age? Legends
17. Drink test tube shots at Silk - sorry, Gaia - wait, no - Jaffacake
This Edinburgh institution is no more, sadly (Image: Youtube)
The club on Kings Stables Road changed its name way more often than it changed its carpets.
18. Or have a really weird night out at Eros and Elite
The decor was...interesting (Image: Facebook)
Why was this Fountainbridge superclub decorated like a set from The Flintstones?
19. And finally - go see a puppet jazz band while scoffing lasagne here:
Fat Sams was the place to be (Image: Facebook)
The Chicago-themed restaurant had fishtanks full of catfish too, and even a piranha to amuse and amaze sugar-filled kids. We miss it - just like everything else on this list! Why can't we go back in time...oh wait, maybe we can, by looking at fantastic photos like this.
This article was originally posted on August 18, 2021.
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