Princes Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

6898

Title

Princes Street

Description

A tram makes its way along Princes Street in Edinburgh, behind it are buildings which include hotels and a Thomas Cook's travel agents. Advertising signs are displayed along the walls of the buildings. On the roofs of buildings are chimney stacks with rows of chimney pots. On the street below pedestrians walk along the pavement and also across the road.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1895

Size

24 x 29.2 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume reads:
"61. Princes Street. Buildings at corner of North Bridge. 1895.
These buildings were erected in the years 1771 - 1776. They were the subject of prolonged dispute between the Town Council and certain of the New Town feuars. The latter held that they had taken their feus on the faith of a plan exhibited by the Magistrates in which plan the entire space to the south of Princes Street appeared as open pleasure ground, and that the Council were therefore debarred from feuing this ground for building. It was finally agreed in 1776 that the houses already built should remain but that no further building should be allowed west of the house belonging to Messrs Young & Trotter, Upholsterers. This house is that shown in the view as occupied by the Railway offices & Messrs Cook & Son."
These buildings are on the site of the North British Hotel (now Balmoral). The construction of the Hotel started early in 1895, so this photograph must have been taken shortly before construction started.

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.
Discover the history of Edinburgh's trams in Our Town Stories .

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Related subjects

Business > Advertising > Advertisements

Business > Service industry > Travel agents

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Trams