History of Edinburgh

For those that love history discussion I am going to post some old prints, paintings, photographs, and film, which display historic events that have taken place in Edinburgh. I am going to upload the images one at a time, as I tried to upload a total of eight images previously, but I rather annoyingly timed out. So this OP will eventually have eight pictures, even if you can currently see less.

Please feel welcome to post your own as well. Reconstructions are fine.

A Royal Landing in Leith: George IV visits Edinburgh
https://blog.historicenvironment.sco...ding-in-leith/
Attachment 26568

Royal visit over 200 years ago, by John Wilson Ewbank
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news...toric-24803910
Attachment 26569

'Groundbreaking' reconstruction of 16th century Edinburgh before the burning by English forces
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-an...leased-3289474
Attachment 26570

Burke's execution from a contemporary print
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_...n_of_Burke.jpg
Attachment 26571

Condemned Covenanters on Their Way to Execution on the West Bow, by unknown artist
https://artuk.org/shop/image-library...rid/93862.html
Attachment 26572

All Hallows Fair on the Boroughmuir, by Howe James (1780-1836)
https://artuk.org/shop/image-library...rid/93439.html
Attachment 26573

Alexander Nasmyth's famous painting of the Nor' Loch
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news...esome-21529225
Attachment 26574

Earliest photograph of Edinburgh landmark, early 1840s?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...erge-sale.html
Attachment 26575

ooh, looking forward to this.

btw, Edina, do you follow Andy Arthur on twitter - https://twitter.com/cocteautriplets ?

Loads of really interesting Edi history threads.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JeMeSouviens

ooh, looking forward to this.

btw, Edina, do you follow Andy Arthur on twitter - https://twitter.com/cocteautriplets ?

Loads of really interesting Edi history threads.

---

Thanks for the link. I will take a look now.

<strong>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txmfM0MyQbw

Edinburgh from Craigleith Quarry, by John Bell, 1840-1860
https://artuk.org/shop/image-library...rid/93089.html
Attachment 26582

A reconstruction of The Porteous Riot, by James Skene, 1818
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porteo...kene,_1818.JPG
Attachment 26577

A reconstruction of The Return of Mary Queen of Scots to Edinburgh on 16th June, 1567, by James Drummond, 1877.
https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/4839
Attachment 26579

The Skating Minister. A contemporary from 1790's. A minister skating on Duddingston loch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sk...g_Minister.jpg
Attachment 26580

The Sheep Heid Inn

Quote:

---

The Sheep Heid Inn is a public house in Duddingston, Edinburgh, Scotland. There has reputedly been an inn on this site since 1360, although the core of the current building appears to date from the 18th century with later additions and alterations.^[1] If the 1360 foundation date was proved correct it would make The Sheep Heid Inn perhaps the oldest surviving licensed premises in Edinburgh, if not Scotland.^[1]

---

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_Heid_InnAttachment 26581

The Commencement of the Building of the Royal Institution, by Alexander Nasmyth
https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/17469
Attachment 26583

A reconstruction of the 1788 execution of William Deacon Brodie, by Alexander Ritchie
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news...ginal-17008649
Attachment 26584

Fascinating stuff Edina, and great to see the Sheep Heid Inn painted in Hibby colours! Remember when the Queen walked in there for dinner a few years ago!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CentreForward

Fascinating stuff Edina, and great to see the Sheep Heid Inn painted in Hibby colours! Remember when the Queen walked in there for dinner a few years ago!

---

She was not the only Royal to drink in there. Apparently James, and his mother Mary, Queen of Scots, were regular skittle players in the premises.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_...in_of_the_name

Quote:

---

Duddingston village is exactly halfway between the royal residences of Craigmillar Castle and Holyrood Palace, and James, like his mother Mary, Queen of Scots, is said to have stopped here many times and even played skittles in the courtyard behind the pub. As a mark of gratitude he presented the landlord with this highly unusual gift which remained on site for 300 years before being sold at auction to the Earl of Rosebery, whose descendants possess it still at their country seat of Dalmeny House.^[3]

---

Attachment 26585

Easter Road Park Halt railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter...ailway_station

Quote:

---

Easter Road Park Halt railway station was a railway station located in Lochend, Edinburgh, Scotland from 1950 to 1967 on the Leith Central Branch. It was built to serve the nearby Easter Road stadium

---

Attachment 26586

Easter Road railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter...ailway_station

Quote:

---

Easter Road railway station was a railway station located on the street of Easter Road in Edinburgh, Scotland from 1891 to 1947 built by the North British Railway.

---

Attachment 26587

Leith Central railway station
https://www.leithforever.org/100days/day-22
Attachment 26588

Leith Walk railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_...ailway_station

Quote:

---

Leith Walk railway station was a railway station located on Leith Walk in Edinburgh. In order to build the station, the Gallow Lee, which was once the site of public executions, was excavated.^[1] The station opened on 22 March 1868 and was served by trains on Edinburgh local rail services. During World War I the station was closed as an economy measure between 1 January 1917 and 31 January 1919. The station closed to passengers on 31 March 1930. It is likely that this was due to competition from Edinburgh Corporation Tramways as the tram journey from the city centre to Leith Walk was quicker than travelling by train.^[2] Passenger trains continued to serve other stations on the line until 1947.

---

Attachment 26589

Abbeyhill railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbeyh...tation#History

Quote:

---

Opened by the North British Railway on 1 May 1869,^[2] it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway during the Grouping of 1923. The line then passed on to the Scottish Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948. The station was closed by the British Railways Board in 1964 along with Piershill, Portobello, Joppa and Musselburgh stations when the Musselburgh branch service was withdrawn.

---

Attachment 26590

Piershill railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piershill_railway_station

Quote:

---

Piershill railway station was a railway station in Edinburgh, Scotland, on a loop off the main line. It was opened on 22 March 1868.Piershill station closed in 1964,

---

Attachment 26591

Portobello railway station (NBR)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portob...n_(NBR)#Future

Quote:

---

Portobello railway station was located at Station Brae, off Southfield Place, in the Portobello area of Edinburgh (Scotland), with footpath access from other locations. The station was opened in 1846^[1] by the North British Railway. It replaced an earlier Portobello station nearby on the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway

---

Attachment 26592

Joppa railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joppa_railway_station

Quote:

---

Joppa railway station served the suburb of Joppa, Edinburgh, Scotland from 1859 to 1964 on the East Coast Main Line.

---

Attachment 26593

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjmAWYuW...g&name=900x900

https://youtu.be/98F2z8qh5Eo

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by grunt

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjmAWYuW...g&name=900x900

---

The FS 7690 registration plate was issued sometime between April 1931 -and June 1934, so we are talking about this photo being 1930s. The location is Easter Road at the junction with Academy Park.

Thanks for that Grunt. My favourite is The Time Travel Artist. He is doing videos on all British cities, including Edinburgh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH5b5TRtBCI&amp;t=79s

The Old Tolbooth of Edinburgh during Demolition, by Alexander Nasmyth
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/...molition-93639
Attachment 26594

The Old Leith Walk, by Thomas Miles Richardson I, 1784-1848
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/...dinburgh-35670
Attachment 26595

Old Musselburgh Links, by William Douglas, 1780-1832
https://www.bonhams.com/press_release/6335/
Attachment 26596

Leith Races, by William Thomas Reid, 1845-1881
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...lustrious-past
Attachment 26597

King George IV Entering Princes Street in August 1822, by William Turner
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...lustrious-past
Attachment 26599

Edinburgh Cityscape, by Alexander Nasmyth, 1758-1840
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...lustrious-past
Attachment 26600

Street art
Attachment 26601
Spoof 1916 Zeppelin raid on Edinburgh
<strong>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS3knzvbXd0

Fascinating. Thanks for posting these.

Do you have any photos of the station that was near to Carricknowe Golf Course? Maybe Pinkhill?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hibby Bairn

Fascinating. Thanks for posting these.

Do you have any photos of the station that was near to Carricknowe Golf Course? Maybe Pinkhill?

---

Pinkhill railway station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkhill_railway_station

Quote:

---

The station was opened by the North British Railway and the line passed on to the Scottish Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948. It was closed by the British Railways Board in 1968

---

Attachment 26598

Thank you.

That wiki link has taken me down a whole new "line" that will keep me busy for days 🙃

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeNvTK260X0

Battle of Pinkie on 10 September 1547
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle..._at_Pinkie.jpg
Attachment 26606

Portobello Pier, 1871 to 1917
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portob...obellopier.jpg
Attachment 26607

Bomb damage to 16 Marshall Street, 1916
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/resear...edinburgh-1916
Attachment 26608

Largo Place, Leith, Luftwaffe bombing, 7th April 1941
Attachment 26609

Behind St Giles Cathedral in the late 18th century
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinbu...ears_Since.jpg
Attachment 26610

Edinburgh Castle, as it was before the siege of 1573
https://www.meisterdrucke.uk/fine-ar...-of-1573-.html
Attachment 26611

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebraucus

Quote:

---

He founded two settlements: Kaerebrauc, the City of Ebraucus (Eboracum), north of the Humber (this later became York, whose Welsh name is Efrog); and Alclud in Albany (now part of Dunbarton, capital of Strathclyde). According to Polydore Vergil he "builded the town of Maidens, now called Edinburgh Castle, being planted in the uttermost part of Britain, now called Scotland"

---

Portrait from circa 1461
Attachment 26602

Artist's impression of Edinburgh Castle during the days of Din Eidyn
https://blog.edinburghcastle.scot/ca...early-history/

Quote:

---

This settlement on Castle Rock has towered above the city since the Bronze Age. Iron Age people built an extensive settlement on the rock and cut defensive ditches. In the 7th century AD it is the location of Din Eidyn, stronghold of Mynyddog ‘the Magnificent’, warlord of the Gododdin before it was seized by the Northumbrians later in the century and renamed Edinburgh.

---

Attachment 26612

Artist's impression of The Goddodin from Din Eidyn
https://lornasmithers.wordpress.com/...nken-catraeth/
Attachment 26613

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

She was not the only Royal to drink in there. Apparently James, and his mother Mary, Queen of Scots, were regular skittle players in the premises.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_...in_of_the_name

Attachment 26585

---

Thanks Edina and think I can remember hearing that about MQ of S before. Many years ago I can also remember once having a few pints and playing skittles in there. Not sure if you can still play there but guessing it’s still open?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CentreForward

Thanks Edina and think I can remember hearing that about MQ of S before. Many years ago I can also remember once having a few pints and playing skittles in there. Not sure if you can still play there but guessing it’s still open?

---

I've not drank there since Covid broke out. But the skittles alley was certainly still there prior to that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

Leith Races, by William Thomas Reid, 1845-1881
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...lustrious-past
[/B]Attachment 26597
[B]
]

---

I'm sure there is at least one depiction of Leith Races on the walls of the Persevere.

I must have looked at it 100 times but I can't think of exactly what it looks like but I think it's broadly similar to the image above.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

I'm sure there is at least one depiction of Leith Races on the walls of the Persevere.

I must have looked at it 100 times but I can't think of exactly what it looks like but I think it's broadly similar to the image above.

---

At least you had heard of Leith Races. I only encountered Leith Races yesterday. I find it quite staggering to find out that the event dates back to at least 1504.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_...)%20to%201816.

Quote:

---

Leith Races were the most important horse racing event in Scotland in the eighteenth century.^[1] They took place on the sands to the east of the harbour^[2] at Leith, near Edinburgh from 1504 (or earlier) to 1816.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

At least you had heard of Leith Races. I only encountered Leith Races yesterday. I find it quite staggering to find out that the event dates back to at least 1504.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_...)%20to%201816.

---

Found the picture from The Persevere online. Some of the other tiled murals are stunning as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

Leith Races, by William Thomas Reid, 1845-1881
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...lustrious-past
Attachment 26597

---

I think I saw this in the Scottish National Gallery a few years ago. It's a big painting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by grunt

I think I saw this in the Scottish National Gallery a few years ago. It's a big painting.

---

It is also art at its finest as well imao. History could not have been recorded any better by using digital camera, than what that artist has achieved with a paint brush. Having said that, the painting must be a copy, because William Thomas Reid was not even born when Leith Races came to an end in 1816.

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news...-used-24660861
Attachment 26618

8. The Oxford Bar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oxford_Bar

Quote:

---

The Oxford Bar apparently became a public house in 1811, although it was a confectioner's shop in 1843.^[1] It was disponed on 30 October 1893 to Andrew Wilson, wines and spirits merchant, and thereafter remained a public bar.

---

Attachment 26624

7. Deacon Brodies Tavern
https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/res...ileedinburgh#/

Quote:

---

Built in 1806 on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, our historic pub has plenty of tales to tell!

---

Attachment 26619

6. The Kings Wark
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...3794822?page=2

Quote:

---

The building that houses the King's Wark on Leith's Shore dates back to the 1700s. It is steeped in history and it actually sits on foundations which are significantly older and were begun by James I in 1434 to serve as a royal residence.

---

Attachment 26620


5. The White Hart Inn
https://www.belhavenpubs.co.uk/pubs/...an/white-hart/

Quote:

---

The White Hart Inn stands out amongst the other Grassmarket pubs, and its legacy is equally prominent. Claimed to be Edinburgh's oldest pub, with parts of the building and cellar dating back to 1516, the remainder of the pub is said to descend from 1740.

---

Attachment 26623

4. Ensign Ewart
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau..._Scotland.html

Quote:

---

The Ensign Ewart has a rich history dating back to 1680

---

Attachment 26621

3. The Beehive Inn
https://www.belhavenpubs.co.uk/pubs/...n/beehive-inn/

Quote:

---

Our stunning pub sits in the shadow of the craggy backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Boasting a history going back some 400 years

---

Attachment 26622

2. The Golf Tavern
https://golftavern.co.uk/

Quote:

---

Established back in 1456 and nestled on the edge of the Bruntsfield Links

---

Attachment 26626


1. Sheep Heid Inn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep_Heid_Inn

Quote:

---

The Sheep Heid Inn is a public house in Duddingston, Edinburgh, Scotland. There has reputedly been an inn on this site since 1360

---

Attachment 26625

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

I've not drank there since Covid broke out. But the skittles alley was certainly still there prior to that.

---

Thanks Edina, and good to hear that it still appears to be there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

At least you had heard of Leith Races. I only encountered Leith Races yesterday. I find it quite staggering to find out that the event dates back to at least 1504.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leith_...)%20to%201816.

---

Pretty sure the original painting is hanging in the National Portrait Gallery in Queen Street. Have definitely seen it in there. It’s a fantastic picture.

I was just looking through Wikipedia's History of Edinburgh page to try and find some more historic events or historic locations to find paintings or photographs for and I came across an allegation that I have never heard before. Apparently when us Scots took over Oppidum Eden, Oppidum Eden was "evacuated" and "abandoned". Well, this is something I did not learn at school, and I doubt I will find a painting depicting the evacuation of the Northumbrians.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histor...0th_centuries)

Quote:

---

During the tenth century the northernmost part of Northumbria, which had retained its Brythonic name Lothian, came under the sway of the Kingdom of Scotland. The 11th century Chronicle of the Kings of Alba records that "oppidum Eden", usually identified as Edinburgh,^[24][25] "was evacuated, and abandoned to the Scots until the present day." This has been read as indicating that Lothian was ceded to the Scottish king Indulf who reigned from AD 954 to 962. Thereafter Edinburgh generally remained under the jurisdiction of the Scots.^[26]

---

Anyway, on a less serious note, I did find what I was looking for. Another painting.

Johnnie Dowie's Tavern
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histor..._Edinburgh.jpg

Quote:

---

Painting showing, on the right, the entrance to "Johnnie Dowie's" tavern which was frequented by Enlightenment figures such as David Hume

---

Attachment 26627

Some decent poetry here about the Gododdin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voh18jDeCMk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Edina Street

Some decent poetry here about the Gododdin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voh18jDeCMk

---

https://youtu.be/p8NplXP6uPo


Worth a watch too. Was at/in a couple of these. Unique.




Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kato

https://youtu.be/p8NplXP6uPo


Worth a watch too. Was at/in a couple of these. Unique.




Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

---

Cheers for that. Currently watching a video about the Gododdin's ancestors, the Votadini. But will be giving your vid a watch pretty soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdoeOl7pvxY

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/articl...-final-odyssey
Attachment 26629

The Coronation of King James II at Holyrood, 1437

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/...ood-1437-93404
Attachment 26632
By William Brassey Hole (1846–1917)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWPrzcA8O7k

Great thread. Have always found the old railway network of edinburgh fascinating. Shame it no longer exists.

Favourite thread on here in a long time :aok:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trinity Hibee

Great thread. Have always found the old railway network of edinburgh fascinating. Shame it no longer exists.

---

Morningside Station, passenger service from 1884-1962, I think.

The gate to the station was across from the clock.


https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...HtpJg&disp=emb


https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...inn68&disp=emb

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mibbes Aye

Morningside Station, passenger service from 1884-1962, I think.

The gate to the station was across from the clock.


https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...HtpJg&disp=emb


https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...inn68&disp=emb

---

Apart from the existence of a platform, nothing there today that tells the story of what was once a busy commuter station.Attachment 26638

Attachment 26639

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by speedy_gonzales

Apart from the existence of a platform, nothing there today that tells the story of what was once a busy commuter station.Attachment 26638

Attachment 26639

---

It’s been a while since I stayed there, the footbridge was a bit of a state. It didn’t really serve any purpose anymore other than to get in onto the end of Maxwell Street, from Balcarres Street. Even then it was saving you a couple of minutes top.

A colourized version of the 1930s video of Edinburgh posted earlier in the thread. Really brings it to life.

https://youtu.be/L-nITiS8IqQ?si=RIB6tKY2WxtDwb6j

https://youtu.be/L-nITiS8IqQ?si=ll8uuxUZzM0eSoEz