Picture gallery captures 70s scenes from Dundee’s Hilltown.

Take a walk through Hilltown five decades ago with these evocative and rarely seen photographs.

These nostalgic images capture local life in Dundee’s Hilltown during the 1970s. Some of these vintage photographs have not been seen in years.

They capture streets, people, and everyday life in a decade that produced ABBA, cheesecloth shirts, flared jeans, Star Wars, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Lost scenes are brought back to life, such as the Derby Street multis.

The whistle-stop tour through Hilltown includes long-lost businesses such as the Anglo Indian Restaurant, Alex Smith’s, and the Seahorse chippy. You can see how much Hilltown has changed.

What will you remember?

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Dallfield multis

Only 11 high-rise blocks remain in the city, with the Dallfield multis, built between 1964 and 1966, being the largest surviving development.

They are made up of four 15-story buildings at the foot of the Hilltown: Dallfield Court, Tulloch Court, Bonnethill Court, and Hilltown Court.

Derby Street

Butterburn and Bucklemaker Courts, two 25-story multi-family buildings on Derby Street, were built in the 1970s and stand tall near the Hilltown crest.

This view was captured from one of the flats in May 1971. Strathmartine Road, Hill Street, and Mains Road are all clearly visible.

Alex Smith’s

Looking up Hilltown in August 1971. The frontage of the Alex Smith retail store is on the right. It remained a familiar landmark for 50 years before closing in May 2003.

Bucklemaker Court

Women are reading a notice outside the lifts at Bucklemaker Court in Hilltown.

Dundee was once home to 44 multis. The blocks were a defining feature of the city.

One-way system

A police officer was on duty when a one-way traffic system was implemented at the top of the Hilltown in February 1973. Jockie Smith’s Pet Shop and Clark’s Shoe Repairs are on the right.

Coffee Bar

Do you want to have a beer? Rough & Fraser owns the coffee shop at the top of Hilltown. The date is March 1973, and snacks are also available.

Hilltown Terrace

A view of Hilltown in April 1973, looking down to the Wellgate. The first model of the proposed Wellgate Centre was unveiled in 1973, and construction began in 1975 and was beginning to take shape by 1977.

Seahorse Restaurant

The Seahorse chip shop opened in August 1973 at the Hilltown shopping complex. It was owned by Luigi Marino and his business partner Dino Barbieri. The building is long gone.

Ann Street Gardens

Ann Street Gardens in Hilltown, May 1974. The Stag can be seen alongside Strathvision, which sold hi-fi equipment, cameras, and televisions.

Robert Gibb

In June 1974, Robert Gibb’s DIY shop was located next to the Hilltown Co-op. Gibb’s changed its name to Crichton’s DIY and Hardware before closing in August 1987.

This group of buildings still exists today, though the shops are different.

School run

An adult and a couple of children make the school run on Alexander Street. The image from October 1974 shows an old-school red phone box on the right.

The picture was taken at the intersection of Alexander Street and Hillbank Road.

Bottom of Hilltown

In June 1975, a view through the trees towards the bottom of Hilltown was captured.

The area had been cleared for the construction of the Wellgate Centre.

Anglo Indian Restaurant

The Anglo Indian Restaurant, located at 224 Hilltown, opened in June 1976.

The owner was Abdul Kalam Chowdhury, also known as Kalam. The restaurant served “exotic dishes in tasteful surroundings”.

Highwayman Bar

Owner Tom McGovern puts drinkers on the clock at the Highwayman in Hilltown in December 1976, when the bar’s closing time was extended to 11pm.

Changes in licensing laws allowed pubs to stay open for an extra hour. A pint of Harp Lager cost 19 pence at the Highwayman. A nip of whisky cost 34p.

Hilltown shops