Old Town from Princes Street Gardens

Category

Library Item

Item no

3048

Title

Old Town from Princes Street Gardens

Description

In the view are Edinburgh landmarks that include Waverley Bridge, the Old Town, where the top of St Giles Cathedral can be seen, and part of the Scott Monument. Other buildings, including tenements, are in the cityscape. Wagons and rolling stock are under the bridge.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1854

Size

20.6 x 25.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This photograph shows the street leading straight from Market Street to the High Street before the creation of Cockburn Street around 1856.

'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

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Railway

Transport > Land > Rolling stock

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.