Old Town from St George's Church, Charlotte Square

Category

Library Item

Item no

12592

Title

General view of the Old Town from St George's Church, Charlotte Square

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1955

Size

24.6 x 30.4 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.

West Register House was built in 1811, originally as St George's Church. Standing in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, the church was intended to mirror another church at the opposite end of George Street, but this plan was never realised. The original design for the building was made by Robert Adam, but his plans were substantially modified by Robert Reid. The building was taken over by the government in 1964 and is now used by the National Archives of Scotland.

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Architecture > Architectural features > Dormer Windows

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Arthur's Seat

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Balmoral Hotel

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > North Bridge

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Scott Monument

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh