Old Town from Princes Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

7685

Title

Old Town from Princes Street

Description

A view from the East End of Princes Street across the Waverley Market and towards North Bridge and the buildings of the Old Town of Edinburgh. Tram cables overhang the cobbled street.

Artist / maker

Harper, John Campbell

Date

1950

Size

24.9 x 29.6 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.

Exhibitions with this item

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Related images

Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Public accommodation facilities > Hotels

Transport > Infrastructure > Streets

Transport > Infrastructure > Tramlines