Plan of the "Edinburgh Historic Mile", 1907

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

52652

Title

Plan of the "Edinburgh Historic Mile" showing the Canongate and buildings at risk, 1907

Description

Framed map in a black framed with the text in white at the bottom "Presented by Lord Guthrie". The map shows the Canongate area of Edinburgh. Most buildings are grey, but some are coloured in red ("ancient buildings, threattened"), yellow ("ancient buildings now remaining"), green ("old buildings, mainly 18th century, less important") or dark grey ("ancient buildings demolished since c.1900"). The map includes the Canongate Kirk which is marked as "less important". The only building marked as threatened is the complex of buildings of Huntly House and Acheson, now home to the Museum of Edinburgh.

Date

1907

Type

Document; Map

Accession number

TIN189

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries

The map was compiled from one of Edinburgh's many town surveys to look at the level of dereliction across the Old Town in particular. Since the 19th century, much work had been done to survey the cityscape, open up areas of old slums to let in cleaner air and light. This is largely the legacy of the philosopher and town planner Patrick Geddes.

The plan shows the Canongate. At the far end is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the at the top, the street merges into the High Street of Edinburgh. Along the street are a number of historic buildings. The one building in red is the building now occupied by the Museum of Edinburgh. This building, known as Huntly House, was at one time a slum where hundreds of people lived in appalling conditions. By the time of this plan in 1907, one part, marked "P. H." was a pub, but most of the first and second floors were too derelict to be liveable. As the map shows, the building was threatened with demolition. It's impressive street facade, carved inscriptions and many interesting original features however meant the building was recognised as one of the best preserved 17th century residents on the Royal Mile.

In 1924, the City Council bought the buildings. Frank C. Mears, who went on to become a leading architect, was charged with restoring the building which he did with great sensitivity and respect to the past; he was after all Patrick Geddes' son-in-law. In 1928 a decision was made to move the City Museum from its location at the City Chambers to the newly restored premises on Canongate. It opened its doors as the City Museum in 1932, but would soon change its name to Huntly House. In 2001, the Museum changed its name again to Museum of Edinburgh, but many people still call it Huntly House.

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