Water of Leith at the Colonies 1963

Category

Library Item

Item no

21089

Title

Water of Leith at the Colonies 1963

Description

The ends of several of the Stockbridge colony streets overlook the Water of Leith. A wall blocks the end of the streets over which the stairs leading up to the upper colony houses can be seen. Many trees and bushes overhang the river.

Artist / maker

Minto, Charles Sinclair

Date

1963

Size

19.4 x 24.6 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Stockbridge Colonies are located just to the south of the Royal Botanic Garden, about a mile north of Princes Street. They were built by the Edinburgh Cooperative Building Company which was founded in 1861. The company's founders included the stonemason and geologist Hugh Miller, the journalist and politician Hugh Gilzean Reid and the stonemason James Coleville. Their aim was to establish a cooperative organisation, principally owned by working class shareholders, to build good quality, affordable housing for working people. The development, known as Glenogle Park, began in the year of the company's foundation and was largely completed by 1875, although sporadic building continued until 1911.

The Water of Leith runs for roughly 18 miles from the Pentland Hills through the villages of Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton, then through Edinburgh to the Firth of Forth at Leith. The twelve mile stretch of river from Balerno to Leith covered by the Water of Leith walkway is accessible to pedestrians and bikes.

Originally a separate village, Stockbridge is now a largely residential area situated a mile north of Edinburgh Castle. The village developed substantially between about 1813, when the famous painter Sir Henry Raeburn began to feu his land in the area for development, and about 1850. Much of this development was conducted by the architect James Milne. With its proximity to the Water of Leith and its interesting and diverse architecture, Stockbridge is considered an attractive and popular place to live, shop and socialise.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Stairways

Architecture > Architectural features > Walls

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

Places > Edinburgh areas > Stockbridge

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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