Edinburgh: Then and Now

I’m a history student living in a UNESCO World Heritage City… this is long overdue.

Edinburgh University Old College

Then: Law School with a variety of odd classes and offices. Constructed on the original grounds set aside in 1582 for the university.

Now: Law School with a variety of odd classes and offices… but directly across the street from Black Medicine Coffee Co. and Blackwells Bookshop.

The Tron Kirk

Then: Functioning kirk built in the 18c on the lower end of the Royal Mile

Now: Ruined kirk that hosts a great local market full of handcrafts and local goods. (My thumb is actually covering a modern Starbucks)

The Royal Mile

Then: Busy street of vendors and Edinburghers.

Now: Busy street of vendors and mostly gawking tourists with Edinburghers mixed in.

St. Giles

Then: 18c cathedral built on the grounds of the old cathedral. To be considered a burgh a town must have a royal charter and a cathedral.

Now: Awesome piece of neo-gothic architecture that still holds regular services and amazing Holiday carol services.

Edinburgh Castle

Then: Literally this place has been a fortification since like… forever. The photo is of the Royal Scots Brigade in 1885.

Now: The proper ending of all great pub crawls.

The Grassmarket

Then: The place of trade and public executions until the late 18c. The public gallows were smack-dab in the middle.

Now: Full of pubs, shops, and great short-cut to Princes Street.

Cowgate

Then: Originally the road livestock was brought into the city on with easy access to the Grassmarket. Later transitioned in overcrowded tenement-housing for the lower class. Pictured is North Bridge which was constructed as a way for the wealthy living in New Town to circumnavigate the lower slums to reach the University.

Now: Home to a variety of night-clubs and pubs including the infamous Hive.

McEwan Hall

Then: Constructed in the 19c by Edinburgh University as a grand graduation hall. Centerpiece of Bristo Square.

Now: Still functions as a graduation hall but under construction until Spring of 2017. A huge roadblock for anyone who has classes in the Old Medical School aka me.

George Square

Then: Proto-type New Town on the edge of the meadows around the University. A variety of Edinburgh intellectuals lived here including Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Now: Fully surrounded by the university. A few of the buildings were knocked down in the early 21c to build new labs. This photo is taken from the outside terrace of the library.

The Meadows

Then: What hasn’t it been is the better question.

Now: What isn’t it is the better question.

Middle Meadow Walk

Then: The one and only. Splits the Meadows in two. Runs parallel to the University.

Now: Still the one and only. Hosts two Starbucks only 300 yards apart. Nice.

Princes Street

Then: Urban shopping street at the beginning of New Town built in the mid 19c, hosts a variety of shops and memorials to British heroes.

Now: Longest single sided shopping street in the world with great views into Princes Street Gardens. Still home to a variety of shops. This is a view from Waterloo Place on looking the statue of the Duke of Wellington and the Scott Monument.