Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has been central to Scottish life and its history over the centuries. It is the seat of the Scottish government, the Scottish parliament, the supreme courts of Scotland, many national institutions, and a major educational, medical and financial centre. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The Old Town retains much of its medieval character and the Georgian New Town, with its regular facades and major neoclassi...

Edinburgh has always been a city of unusual characters and has its own distinct, often peculiar, history. Quirky Edinburgh delves into lesser-known but fascinating tales from Edinburgh’s past. Readers will discover stories of the sedan chairs that transported the gentry around the city in the eighteenth century, horse racing on Leith Sands, the open-air Royal Patent Gymnasium that delighted its Victorian visitors with rides on the Great Sea Serpent and Giant See-Saw, an exploding postbox, ...

The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were decades of great change. Many towns and cities were redeveloped with projects that dramatically affected the character of the place. People’s shopping habits were altered as supermarkets took over from traditional stores and corner shops. Leisure habits were changing too, as cheap air travel led to the arrival of the foreign package holiday and a new range of leisure facilities were developed at home. Fashions, as ever, were changing in this period, reflecti...

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, has a dramatic cityscape and its wealth of historic streets and buildings make up the UNESCO Old and New Towns World Heritage Site. The city has also been subject to a myriad of changes through the years. This book features several landmark buildings but concentrates attention on areas which have been subject to change through redevelopment.Edinburgh Reflections features a collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to...

Having been granted city status during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, Stirling is Scotland’s smallest city, but has an enthralling wealth of architectural and historic heritage that would be the envy of much larger places in the country. Stirling’s heritage dates from the thirteenth century, when it was granted a royal charter and became a significant medieval settlement. Its strategic importance as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ also made it the much-fought over ‘Cockpit of Scot...

In 1560, Mary of Guise moved the Scottish Court to Leith, a site that is now Parliament Street, off Coalhill. Serving Edinburgh’s shipbuilding and repair facilities, in subsequent centuries Leith’s port saw the opening of a new Wet Dock, the first of its kind in Scotland. Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port serving Edinburgh, it has been the stage on which many significant events have taken place. From housing the Scottish Court to seeing civil...

The ‘Fair City of Perth’ is aptly named. Situated on the banks of the Tay, Scotland’s longest river, Perth and its surrounding area boast some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. The city’s position on the River Tay ensured that it became a busy trading port, exporting salmon and wool and importing claret from Bordeaux. Its bustling harbour remains in use, the only inland harbour in Britain. Perth was once the capital of Scotland and there are many interesting historical sights t...

The historic county of Lothian lies along the south side of the broad estuary of the Forth. Its strategic location and political and economic importance, with Edinburgh at its centre, has made the county witness to some of the most significant events in Scottish history. This is reflected in the remarkable wealth of architectural heritage spanning thousands of years. Castles, royal palaces, churches and industrial buildings of national importance abound in the county. Author Jack Gillon se...

Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port serving Edinburgh, it has been the stage on which many significant events in the nation’s past have taken place, from housing the Scottish court to witnessing civil war, acting as the port of call for royal arrivals and becoming its own burgh until the amalgamation with Edinburgh in 1920. The 1950s brought the final days of the old and ancient thoroughfares in the heart of Leith: the Kirkgate, St Andrew Stree...

Falkirk’s strategic location, midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow at the crossroads of lowland Scotland, has been the main influence on the town’s development and has contributed to its key role in Scotland’s history. The Romans were the first to make a significant mark on the district, William Wallace and Bonnie Prince Charlie fought the English nearby, cattle were driven from all over Scotland to the great trysts in the area, central Scotland’s canals came together at Camelon, and local...

Falkirk is a small town with a big history. Its strategic location, at the crossroads of lowland Scotland, contributed to its key role in Scotland’s history. The Romans were the first to make a significant mark on the district, William Wallace and Bonnie Prince Charlie fought the English nearby, cattle were driven from all over Scotland to the great trysts in the area, central Scotland’s canals came together at Camelon, and local foundries fuelled the Industrial Revolution. Secret Falkirk ...

In 1560, when Mary of Guise ran Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, remained in France, Mary of Guise moved the Scottish Court to Leith, a site that is now Parliament Street, off Coalhill. Serving Edinburgh’s shipbuilding and repair facilities, Leith’s port saw the opening of a new Wet Dock, the first of its kind in Scotland. Today, Leith is, again, part of Edinburgh, and recent regeneration has helped improve its poorer areas. Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history....