A picture has resurfaced online showing a long since demolished Granton housing scheme in the 1980s.
In the image the infamous “Ramps” scheme of West Granton can be seen looking derelict as it sits in front of the iconic Granton gasworks. Only one of the gaswork structures remains in place today as the area has undergone a severe regeneration in the past two decades.
The Ramps were built to deal with the growing population of Edinburgh in the 1970s and at the time were heralded as an architectural marvel. But the brutalist landscape has not aged well in the eyes of those looking back on their time living in the estate.
READ MORE: Caring Edinburgh dad breaks gender stereotypes before securing dream job
Famously described as the varicose vein flats by Irvine Welsh in his Trainspotting novel as the cracks in the building harling were filled with white plaster. He wrote: “This is one ay the varicose-vein flats, so called because of the plastered cracks all over its facing.”
This made the area look as tired as the members of the capital police force who were tasked with tackling the crime ridden scheme during the 1980s. Memories of living in the scheme can be very conflicting as many cherished their time growing up in the poverty stricken community whilst others loathed having to watch over their shoulder each time they travelled through the narrow streets and lanes of West Granton.
One resident shared a comment on a post about the estate on Facebook: “My husband and I were pleased to at last be given a house of our own. They were lovely to live in when they were first built.
“Everyone was so friendly, we had a ground floor maisonette with a yard out the front where the babies would sleep in their prams. My daughter was born here and after they had been demolished, she worked for the builders of the new estate in the site office.
“Actually got her picture in the local paper as being there at the beginning and end of West Granton housing estate.”
Whilst another reminisced about his misspent youth: “Had some great times living here, especially sliding doon the poles on the ramps, and walking on the walls behind the shops. [There was a] great wee bakery shop, newsagent, butcher and of course VGs where I used to do a wee bit o shoplifting.”
But it was not all roses. As many described the flats as looking like living in a prison complex or more dramatically as “hell.”
One former resident of the area remembered an experience that would quickly straighten him up after walking home from a night out through the Ramps, he said: “Stayed in West Granton Road, above D'Inverno's chippy.
“Walking home in the small hours, as you did often aged 21 or so, you would encounter packs of dogs that had been booted out the house for the night. Sobered you up quickly as the mutts gave you the eye.”
Whilst another remembered the place being littered with needles and broken glass: “I remember jumping about the concrete park doon that part! It was concrete city!!!! Lots of smashed glass, Jakey needles and litter, was like a third world country within a first class country.”
One former resident was glad the scheme has since been demolished, sharing on the same post: “We were one of the first families that moved into a ground floor maisonette. Everything was concrete. Even the small play parks. Ugly buildings - glad they are gone.”
The gasworks in the background were demolished with only the central skeleton left standing today. Designed by a Dutch engineer it was seen as a work of architectural wonder by many in the capital.
The site is now home to Edinburgh College and the shell of the central gas infrastructure is now used to host the Hidden Door Festival that sees creative types from across Edinburgh come together to reinvigorate the space.
It was built in the 1890’s as the country moved away from using coal to power their lives and looked towards gas. The Granton site was over 106 acres, purchased from the 6th Duke of Buccleuch for £124,000 during the 1890s and it would become one of the most impressive industrial structures in Scotland.
READ NEXT-
Reckless Edinburgh teens filmed bus surfing down busy main road through Old Town
Much-loved Edinburgh café announces closure with a 'heavy heart'
New plans for Edinburgh’s historic Jenners store released after devastating fire
Edinburgh Zoo to host exciting Easter events including roast dinner and hunt trail
East Lothian woman uncovers ‘hidden note’ from the 1960s under her wallpaper
