No overall control An election to Edinburgh Corporation was held on 4 May 1971, alongside municipal elections across Scotland.

Of the council's 68 seats, 23 were up for election.

[1] Following the election, Edinburgh Corporation was composed of 28 Labour councillors, 27 Progressives, 9 Conservatives, 3 Liberals, and 2 independents.

The SNP was wiped off the council after lost all five of the seats it was defending.

[1] Following the election, the Progressives and Conservative coalition retained control of the council with a majority of three seats.