History of Edinburgh

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 11:00 AM

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/

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

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

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

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

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

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

0_640px-Alexander_Nasmyth_1758-1840_-_Edinburgh_Castle_and_the_Nor_Loch_-_NG_2104_-_National_Gal.jpg

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

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**JeMeSouviens** · 27-03-2023 11:08 AM

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.

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by JeMeSouviens

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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.

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 11:48 AM

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

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

800px-The_Porteous_Riot_by_James_Skene,_1818.jpg

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

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

The_Skating_Minister.jpg

The Sheep Heid Inn

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_Inn

1024px-Sheep_Heid_Inn,_Duddingston.jpg

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

nasmith - princes-street-with-the-commencement-of-the-buildi.jpg

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

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**CentreForward** · 27-03-2023 03:14 PM

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!

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by CentreForward

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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

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]

Sheep_Heid_Inn_04.jpg

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 03:49 PM

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

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

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

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.

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

Leith+Central+Station+opened+on+1+July,+1903.+(Leith+Observer-R+W+Lynn).+Driver+H+Ramage,+Firema.jpg

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

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.

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

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.

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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***grunt*** · 27-03-2023 04:54 PM

***grunt*** · 27-03-2023 04:56 PM

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by grunt

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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.

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 07:26 PM

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

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 07:39 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Street art

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Spoof 1916 Zeppelin raid on Edinburgh
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**Hibby Bairn** · 27-03-2023 07:46 PM

Fascinating. Thanks for posting these.

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

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Hibby Bairn

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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

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

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**Hibby Bairn** · 27-03-2023 09:02 PM

Thank you.

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

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 09:17 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

English_School_-_Edinburgh_castle_as_it_was_before_the_siege_of_1573_-_(MeisterDrucke-465991).jpg

**Edina Street** · 27-03-2023 09:56 PM

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

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

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

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.

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

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**CentreForward** · 28-03-2023 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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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

Sheep_Heid_Inn_04.jpg

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?

**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by CentreForward

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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.

**Pretty Boy** · 28-03-2023 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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

**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

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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.

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.

**Pretty Boy** · 28-03-2023 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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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.

***grunt*** · 28-03-2023 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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

p06hcjkz.jpg

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

**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by grunt

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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.

**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 03:44 PM

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

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**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 03:55 PM

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

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.

The_Oxford_Bar,_Edinburgh.jpg

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

The Ensign Ewart has a rich history dating back to 1680

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

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

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

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

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

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

220px-Sheep's_Heid_Inn (1).jpg

**CentreForward** · 28-03-2023 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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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.

**CentreForward** · 28-03-2023 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Edina Street

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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.

**Edina Street** · 28-03-2023 08:09 PM

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)

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

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

Libberton_Wynd,_Edinburgh.jpg