Photography in Edinburgh by
Robert Blomfield
Where is it?
ANSWER: Niddry Street South
Photo
7.
Edinburgh Tenements - 1965
©
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
©
"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.
©
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 |
|