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Old Edinburgh
17/02/2010
From a 1930s view of a smoky Lawnmarket taken through the cusped masonry of St Giles’ Cathedral, to a hushed shot of the sales hall of Jenner’s Department store in 1900, photographs of old Edinburgh present a city at once familiar and distant. It can be a strange sensation to look at these images, to sense your separation in time from sites and landmarks that are so well known –you can walk the same streets, but you can never visit the moments these photographs have captured. Some see historic photography as a window on the ‘foreign country’ of the past, where ‘they do things differently’: by capturing lifestyles that range from the subtly different to the near alien they blur the recognition factor in our modern eyes. And perhaps in isolation this is true. But, when such photographs are brought together – as in the RCAHMS archives – they come to form a collective memory, an invaluable record that connects the people of Scotland today and in the future to the places where they have lived for generations.
SC 409330
View of studio at Edinburgh College of Art.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 421908
Copy of photograph of Proclamation at Mercat cross, not the same ceremony as sc 1223391 etc.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 421917
General view of St Giles' Cathedral with Thistle Chapel in foreground
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 421991
General view of Lawnmarket, looking towards Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 426633
General view of St Giles Cathderal from North West
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 426637
Statue of King Charles II with St Giles Cathedral in background. Edinburgh
© Courtesy of HES (George Hay Collection)
SC 466077
Interior, view across central well.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 466078
View of the sales floor for gloves and lace in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 466083
General view of Nos 47 - 59 Princes Street showing awnings on shop fronts and cars parked outside
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466176
The remains of burnt out buildings on the site of Jenners Department Store, South St David Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES
SC 466179
100-104 Princes Street, Edinburgh including Boots the Chemist. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466207
View from north west of the North British Station Hotel also showing Waverley Gardens, the North Bridge, Calton Hill, Waterloo Place and cars parked on the street.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466226
Interior view of the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, showing a small oil gallery after reconstruction in 1911.
© RCAHMS
SC 488793
Interior-general view looking East. Copy of earlier photograph on glass.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 533170
General view of Dean showing West Mill, Dean School, Old Tolbooth, 17 Bell's Brae and Water of Leith General
© Courtesy of HES (Photographs by H D Wyllie, photographer, Edinburgh, Scotland)
SC 647741
Female ward 15 on the top floor of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
© Courtesy of HES (Survey of Private Collection. Dr G L Malcolm-Smith album)
SC 678374
The original tea room in Jenners Department Store in Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678376
View of the tea room in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678382
Interior, view of women's fashion department.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678387
Interior, view of lingerie department.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678389
View of the fabrics department in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678391
View of the fabrics hall in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678392
View of the hall at Jenner's Department, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 679021
View of Ramsay Gardens from Princes Street Gardens below the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image Only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679075
View of street scene in Dean Village, Edinburgh with children and lamp post NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679077
View of street in Dean Village with children and lamp post NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679081
View of the Water of Leith in Dean Village showing Dean Brig and Holy Trinity Church NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679092
View of Borthwick's Close with Guthrie Street, John Farmer Brown Memorial clock and Royal Scottish Museum in the background NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679095
View of street in Dean Village with Dean Bridge in the background NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679100
View of West railway footbridge in the Princes Gardens, Edinburgh NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679139
View of the Grassmarket, Edinburgh from Candlemaker Row looking towards the Castle NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679140
View of St George's Church, Edinburgh, from Queensferry Street NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679143
Interior view of Princes Street Station, Edinburgh. The station was closed in 1965 and has since been demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679144
View of Princes Street, Edinburgh looking South East showing tram stop and statue of Dr Guthrie NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679146
General view of the corner of Princes Street and Frederick Street, Edinburgh with trams and Manfield's shop. Edinburgh Castle in the background
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 680404
View of auditorium, the Edinburgh Picture Theatre or New Picture House cinema on Princes Street. It opened in 1913 and was demolished in 1951 to make way for a Marks and Spencer store.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 683461
Interior-general view of entrance hallway in College of Art
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 711517
General view of Milne's Court, Edinburgh, with children standing in the centre.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 862077
Rear view of Huntly House from Bakehouse Close
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1023661
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, interior. View of a male ward.
© Courtesy of HES (Survey of Private Collection. Dr G L Malcolm-Smith album)
SC 1071699
Union Canal, Lochrin Basin and wooden draw bridge Edinburgh Photographic Society Survey of Edinburgh and District, Ward XIV George Square
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
SC 1086981
Detail of West doorway of Holyrood Abbey
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1098318
Edinburgh, Tollcross, general. General view from south-west.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098971
View of Old Playhouse Close from South, with children
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098980
View of Canongate Church from South, also showing Burgh Cross and Home Fountain.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098986
Edinburgh, Davidson's Mains, Cramond Road South. General view of street with houses along the left hand side with two carriages and a horse being led along.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1100779
Interior view of Cox's Gelatine and glue factory, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, with a man bagging gelatine sheets.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1103837
James Souter's shop at Old Playhouse Close and Playhouse Close, Edinburgh. Since substantially remodelled.
SC 1103838
View of the front facade of two story houses with tenements towering behind, including No. 135 - 143 Pleasance seen from the West South West. People in the street and a World War I recruitment poster can also be seen.
SC 1107401
General view of South Bridge, Edinburgh, from South East showing street scene with horses and carts
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1111175
View of the old cattle market at Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, whilst in operation.
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
DP 041459
Photograph, with text; 'Candlemaker Row - General view from Lindsay Place' Edinburgh Photographic Society Survey of Edinburgh and District, Ward XIV George Square
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
SC 1119845
The West End of Princes Street, Edinburgh showing buses, trams, cars and bicycles, pedestrians and a traffic warden.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1120430
View of Princes Street, Edinburgh from west showing a busy street with horse-drawn vehicles; carts, carriages and buses. View also includes Scott Monument and Royal Scottish Academy. Titled: 'PRINCES ST. NEAR ROYAL INSTITUTION. EDINR J.P.'
© RCAHMS
SC 1120432
General view of Princes Street looking westwards showing the Castle, Mound, Scott Monument, Waverley Gardens and street with trams, pedestrians and horse drawn buses and carriages.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1120434
View from Scott Monument looking east towards Calton Hill showing the North British Hotel, Waverley Gardens and a busy Princes Street with shop awnings, pedestrians, trams, buses and horse and carts.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1122174
Edinburgh, Lothianburn, Blacksmith's Shop. General view with two figures.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122178
View of the corner of the Square showing an oblique view of the front facades of No. 6 - 8a and 6 - 7 seen from the centre of the Square from the South West.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122183
View of shop fronts at 64 and 66 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, including Anderson Green Grocer. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122184
View of Hangman's House at No 140 Cowgate, Edinburgh, prior to demolition.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1129311
Historic view of Edinburgh taken from Blackford Hill showing Arthurs Seat, Salisbury Crags and Newington from west. The Grange area is mostly undeveloped at this stage.
SC 1133842
Interior. View of auditorium and stage with curtain closed.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1133843
View of the Empire Theatre auditorium, Edinburgh, with audience.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 409330
View of studio at Edinburgh College of Art.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 421908
Copy of photograph of Proclamation at Mercat cross, not the same ceremony as sc 1223391 etc.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 421917
General view of St Giles' Cathedral with Thistle Chapel in foreground
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 421991
General view of Lawnmarket, looking towards Castle.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 426633
General view of St Giles Cathderal from North West
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 426637
Statue of King Charles II with St Giles Cathedral in background. Edinburgh
© Courtesy of HES (George Hay Collection)
SC 466077
Interior, view across central well.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 466078
View of the sales floor for gloves and lace in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 466083
General view of Nos 47 - 59 Princes Street showing awnings on shop fronts and cars parked outside
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466176
The remains of burnt out buildings on the site of Jenners Department Store, South St David Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES
SC 466179
100-104 Princes Street, Edinburgh including Boots the Chemist. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466207
View from north west of the North British Station Hotel also showing Waverley Gardens, the North Bridge, Calton Hill, Waterloo Place and cars parked on the street.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 466226
Interior view of the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, showing a small oil gallery after reconstruction in 1911.
© RCAHMS
SC 488793
Interior-general view looking East. Copy of earlier photograph on glass.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 533170
General view of Dean showing West Mill, Dean School, Old Tolbooth, 17 Bell's Brae and Water of Leith General
© Courtesy of HES (Photographs by H D Wyllie, photographer, Edinburgh, Scotland)
SC 647741
Female ward 15 on the top floor of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
© Courtesy of HES (Survey of Private Collection. Dr G L Malcolm-Smith album)
SC 678374
The original tea room in Jenners Department Store in Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678376
View of the tea room in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678382
Interior, view of women's fashion department.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678387
Interior, view of lingerie department.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678389
View of the fabrics department in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678391
View of the fabrics hall in Jenner's Department Store, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 678392
View of the hall at Jenner's Department, Princes Street, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 679021
View of Ramsay Gardens from Princes Street Gardens below the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image Only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679075
View of street scene in Dean Village, Edinburgh with children and lamp post NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679077
View of street in Dean Village with children and lamp post NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679081
View of the Water of Leith in Dean Village showing Dean Brig and Holy Trinity Church NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679092
View of Borthwick's Close with Guthrie Street, John Farmer Brown Memorial clock and Royal Scottish Museum in the background NMRS Survey of Private Collections Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679095
View of street in Dean Village with Dean Bridge in the background NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679100
View of West railway footbridge in the Princes Gardens, Edinburgh NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679139
View of the Grassmarket, Edinburgh from Candlemaker Row looking towards the Castle NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679140
View of St George's Church, Edinburgh, from Queensferry Street NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679143
Interior view of Princes Street Station, Edinburgh. The station was closed in 1965 and has since been demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679144
View of Princes Street, Edinburgh looking South East showing tram stop and statue of Dr Guthrie NMRS Survey of Private Collection Digital Image only
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 679146
General view of the corner of Princes Street and Frederick Street, Edinburgh with trams and Manfield's shop. Edinburgh Castle in the background
© Courtesy of HES (Tom and Sybil Gray Collection)
SC 680404
View of auditorium, the Edinburgh Picture Theatre or New Picture House cinema on Princes Street. It opened in 1913 and was demolished in 1951 to make way for a Marks and Spencer store.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 683461
Interior-general view of entrance hallway in College of Art
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)
SC 711517
General view of Milne's Court, Edinburgh, with children standing in the centre.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 862077
Rear view of Huntly House from Bakehouse Close
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1023661
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, interior. View of a male ward.
© Courtesy of HES (Survey of Private Collection. Dr G L Malcolm-Smith album)
SC 1071699
Union Canal, Lochrin Basin and wooden draw bridge Edinburgh Photographic Society Survey of Edinburgh and District, Ward XIV George Square
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
SC 1086981
Detail of West doorway of Holyrood Abbey
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1098318
Edinburgh, Tollcross, general. General view from south-west.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098971
View of Old Playhouse Close from South, with children
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098980
View of Canongate Church from South, also showing Burgh Cross and Home Fountain.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1098986
Edinburgh, Davidson's Mains, Cramond Road South. General view of street with houses along the left hand side with two carriages and a horse being led along.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1100779
Interior view of Cox's Gelatine and glue factory, Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, with a man bagging gelatine sheets.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1103837
James Souter's shop at Old Playhouse Close and Playhouse Close, Edinburgh. Since substantially remodelled.
SC 1103838
View of the front facade of two story houses with tenements towering behind, including No. 135 - 143 Pleasance seen from the West South West. People in the street and a World War I recruitment poster can also be seen.
SC 1107401
General view of South Bridge, Edinburgh, from South East showing street scene with horses and carts
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1111175
View of the old cattle market at Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, whilst in operation.
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
DP 041459
Photograph, with text; 'Candlemaker Row - General view from Lindsay Place' Edinburgh Photographic Society Survey of Edinburgh and District, Ward XIV George Square
© Courtesy of HES (Edinburgh Photographic Society Collection)
SC 1119845
The West End of Princes Street, Edinburgh showing buses, trams, cars and bicycles, pedestrians and a traffic warden.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1120430
View of Princes Street, Edinburgh from west showing a busy street with horse-drawn vehicles; carts, carriages and buses. View also includes Scott Monument and Royal Scottish Academy. Titled: 'PRINCES ST. NEAR ROYAL INSTITUTION. EDINR J.P.'
© RCAHMS
SC 1120432
General view of Princes Street looking westwards showing the Castle, Mound, Scott Monument, Waverley Gardens and street with trams, pedestrians and horse drawn buses and carriages.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1120434
View from Scott Monument looking east towards Calton Hill showing the North British Hotel, Waverley Gardens and a busy Princes Street with shop awnings, pedestrians, trams, buses and horse and carts.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1122174
Edinburgh, Lothianburn, Blacksmith's Shop. General view with two figures.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122178
View of the corner of the Square showing an oblique view of the front facades of No. 6 - 8a and 6 - 7 seen from the centre of the Square from the South West.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122183
View of shop fronts at 64 and 66 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, including Anderson Green Grocer. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1122184
View of Hangman's House at No 140 Cowgate, Edinburgh, prior to demolition.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)
SC 1129311
Historic view of Edinburgh taken from Blackford Hill showing Arthurs Seat, Salisbury Crags and Newington from west. The Grange area is mostly undeveloped at this stage.
SC 1133842
Interior. View of auditorium and stage with curtain closed.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
SC 1133843
View of the Empire Theatre auditorium, Edinburgh, with audience.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)
