Library Item

Water of Leith at Warriston from St Mark's Bridge, Edinburgh

1977

George Waterston and Son was founded in 1752 as a maker of flambeau candles by William Waterston and operated in Edinburgh until 2003. By the 1830s, George Waterston II was in charge and the company had expanded the business to make all grades of sealing wax, wafers, flambeaux and inks. They also sold stationery, cards, pens, pencils and account books made in-house. In 1864 they won a contract to print bank notes and were still printing money up until the 1970s. In 1902, George Waterston and Sons built a new factory on Warriston Road overlooking the Water of Leith.

Find out more about the history of George Waterston and Son from Grace's Guide to British Industrial History.