Eyesore building flattened

WITH a deafening roar of explosives, one of Edinburgh's most notorious eyesores was reduced to rubble in just seconds as hundreds of people looked on.

The high-rise block of flats at Broomview Court was demolished at 11.30am yesterday, sending a thick plume of dust into the air.

Around 600 locals were evacuated from the Sighthill area before the building was blown up, with many watching from behind security fences at a safe distance from the blast zone. A number of roads in the area were closed.

Others chose to watch the spectacle through a live internet broadcast as the 46-metre high structure collapsed to the ground.

Ian Begg, who lived in the building for its full 40-year life, pushed the plunger with city housing leader, Councillor Paul Edie.

The 62-year-old lived on the ninth floor, second from the top of the block. He said: "I feel sad but happy too, because they really did have to go.

"I had beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle, the fireworks each year, the ski slope and Corstorphine Hill. But over the years I saw the flat falling to bits a wee bit."

Mr Begg moved into Broomview Court in December 1967, just after it was built, and was among the last to move out last August.

The flats became associated with drug dealing and the building was suffering from subsidence.

Yvonne Walker, 64, a childminder, lived in one of the flats for eight years. She said: "I had my first two children there, but the best way I could describe it was living in a cage. I'm not too bothered that it's gone."

But mother-of-five Eileen Reed, 62, gave birth to her two youngest children inside the flats.

She said: "We've come back because it's part of our family history. My daughter is in tears to see it away and I'm quite sad too."

Cllr Edie described the scene as a "truly spectacular sight".

The area will soon house a £60-million-plus redevelopment.