While Glasgow was basking in its status as European Capital of Culture, there was plenty to celebrate in Edinburgh too.
Richard Branson visited the Capital to open a massive Virgin Megastore on Princes Street and journey times across the city were slashed with the opening of the Edinburgh City Bypass.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 18 incredible images of Edinburgh in 1990 – and please do let us know your own memories of that year in the comments section before you go.
13. Kenneth Branagh at EIF box office 1990
British actor Kenneth Branagh holds up some leaflets outside the Edinburgh Festival's new box office by St Giles Cathedral in the Royal Mile, August 1990. Photo: Denis Straughan
14. Caledonian Hotel float in Cavalcade 1990
The Caledonian hotel float takes part in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade in August 1990. Photo: Joe Steele
15. Councillors' 'sleep out' 1990
Singer Dick Gaughan, organiser Donald Elliott, Alistair Darling, Nigel Griffiths and Mark Lazarowicz, preparing to spend a cold night 'sleep out' in an Edinburgh graveyard to highlight the growing number of homeless people in the Capital in December 1990. Photo: Denis Straughan
16. Edinburgh Hogmanay 1990
Two women kissing a police officer at the Tron kirk in Edinburgh on Hogmanay 1990. Photo: Joe Steele