Photography in Edinburgh by Robert Blomfield

Where is it?

ANSWER:  Niddry Street South

Photo

7.

Edinburgh Tenements  -  1965

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1965  -  Where is it?

© Robert Blomfield                                                                          Photo taken 1965

 

Photography in Edinburgh by Robert Blomfield

Where is it?

This is one of a large collection of photos taken by Robert Blomfield  in Edinburgh between 1956 and 1967.  Robert's brother, John is in the process of scanning and cataloguing the photos.

He'd like to discover where this photo was taken.  If you recognise the location, please email me, then I'll pass on the news to John.

Thank you

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  March 16, 2013

 

Photo 7

Reply

1.

Terry McGuire

Coventry, Warwickshire, England

Thank you to Terry McGuire for sending a quick reply.

Terry wrote:

Off the Cowgate

    Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

"This lane is off the Cowgate.  It serviced the shops in the South Bridge, namely Drages furniture shop, in the 1960's.

The lower floors of the shop were in the arches of the South bridge which were not visible externally."

Terry McGuire, Coventry, Warwickshire, England:  March 16, 2013

Drages furniture shop was at 41 South Bridge in the 1960s

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  March 16, 2013

 

Photo 7

Reply

2.

Terry McGuire

Coventry, Warwickshire, England

I asked Terry if the lane that he refers to above was to the west or to the east of South Bridge.

He replied:

To the East of South Bridge

"This lane off the Cowgate was to the east of South Bridge"

Terry McGuire, Coventry, Warwickshire, England:  March 16, 2013

Niddry Street South

So, the street in this photo  must be Niddry Street South, leading to the south from Cowgate.  The arches of South Bridge, or vaults, are within the buildings on the right-hand side of this photo.

Photograph taken in Edinburgh, 1960  -  Where is it? ©

Edinburgh Vaults

Early Years

This Edinburgh Vaults Wikipedia page gives a history of how these vaults (or South Bridge arches) have been used since the bridge was completed in 1788.

In  the early years, use included:

-  storage of illicit material, including bodies of people killed by Burke & Hare

-  housing for some of Edinburgh's poorest citizens

-  brothels, pubs and a private distillery

Recent Years

The vaults were re-discovered in the 1980s, excavated in the 1990s and have now become The Caves and The Rowantree, venues for private events and club nights, including live music and shows, especially during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  March 16, 2013

 

Photo 7

Reply

3.

Dick Martin

Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Dick Martin for writing to point out an error on this page.  I had originally described this street as 'Niddry Street'.

Dick wrote:

Not Niddry Street

"You have this photo identified as Niddry St. off the Cowgate.

I don't think that is correct. Niddry St, as I remember it, was the first street on the right, just down from the Traffic lights at the Tron. It ran from the top of the High St down to the Cowgate."

Dick Martin, Borders, Scotland:  March 26, 2013

Niddry Street South

Thanks for your comments, Dick.  I agree with them.

I should have named the street 'Niddry Street South' (not Niddry Street).  I've done that now.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  March 26, 2013

Dick added:

Niddry Street

"I spent a lot of my youth in the 1950's at the Afton School of Dancing which was on the left, about 40 yards or so from the top of the steep hill which was Niddry St.

There was a public dance hall, also on the left-hand side, which protruded across the pavement almost at the foot of the hill.  I can't remember its name."

Dick Martin, Borders, Scotland:  March 26, 2013

 

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