Princes Street and the Old Town

Category

Library Item

Item no

14960

Title

Princes Street and the Old Town from the west, aerial view

Description

A dusting of snow covers Edinburgh. Princes Street and Gardens and Waverley station can be seen. The Old Town sits between Edinburgh Castle on its rocky outcrop and Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1969

Size

20.3 x 24.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

'Old Town' is the general name given to the original mediaeval centre of Edinburgh. It consists principally of the Royal Mile and the streets and closes leading from it, including those previously part of the separate burgh of Canongate. It also includes the Cowgate and the Grassmarket. The restricted size of the Old Town necessitated the construction of multi-storey 'lands' from the 1500's onwards, many of which still exist today. Eventually chronic overcrowding led to expansion of the city northwards past the Nor' Loch and southwards beyond the Flodden Wall. The Old Town area has now been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Princes Street is one of the main thoroughfares and shopping areas in Edinburgh. It was created as part of James Craig's New Town development and named in honour of George III's sons. With the exception of St John's Church there is no building on the southern side of Princes Street, allowing spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town.

Copyright Historic Environment Scotland, Aerofilms collection
Find out more information at Historic Environment Scotland.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Landscape > Land > Hills

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Railway