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(A) Guest Book Comments 2002 Archive |
| January 2002 |
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Date: 6 Jan 2002 Time: 14:32 Nice site. Lots of interesting material. Will bookmark for future ref. Good for everybody interested in photography. |
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Date: 9 Jan 2002 Time: 07:37 Cool Deb and Barry Sayward, BC, Canada Good work, but we got a ton of photographers from that erra in england that are not listed. Hope you can add to your database. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: It would be good to extend the site to cover the whole of Britain; but it is taking all my spare time to keep the site updated just for the Edinburgh photographers. However the Royal Photographic Society has a Historical Group that has published a range of small booklets listing the early photographers in several towns and cities throughout Britain. Details and prices can be obtained from Warner Schmidt, ARPS, PO Box 28, Estree, Herts, WD6 4ST England. |
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Date: 10 Jan 2002 Time: 18:51
Tried to email you but your email address was rejected. Gillean Bussell |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: Sorry to hear about the e-mail difficulty. I'm getting a steady flow of e-mails. I'm not sure what happened in your case. Please try again. |
| February 2002 |
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Date: 3 Feb 2002 Time: 15:00 A great concisive, informative and interesting website :) There's some information that i've looking for for ages that i found here. I certainly found the web-site helpful. |
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Date: 10 Feb 2002 Time: 13:04 An excellent site for scottish photographic history, well laid out with excellent images |
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Date: 12 Feb 2002 Time: 19:48 Exelent site, well presented and a very good web page. I will certainly be visting many times. Bob Thomson## The John Wood Collection, Coldingham. |
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Date: 16 Feb 2002 Time: 05:51 Thank you for these pages. They are a great asset. Bruce McIntosh |
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Date: 19/ Feb 2002 Time: 15:33 Enjoyed your style. |
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Date: 22 Feb 2002 Time: 02:37 Fascinating, absolutely fascinating. If its any help I have a book by John Hannavy of Thomas Keiths Scotland. First published 1981 by Canongate publishing ltd 17 Jeffrey street Edinburgh. 1 S B N 0 903937 73 5 and 1 S B N 0 86241 006 1 Hope this is of interest to you. Regards Bruce Watson |
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Date: 22 Feb 2002 Time: 09:28 Great site and great photographs Les Ayton Australia |
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Date: 25 Feb 2002 Time: 15:04 Hi - looking for photographs of the Victory Parade in Edinburgh in 1919. Search facility wouldn't respond! Great site though |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: I have a few 1919 photos. I hope to add them to the site soon. |
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Date: 28 Feb 2002 Time: 03:10 Would like to add our names to others who have traveled through this marvalous collection - Clegg & Guttmann (Photographic Artists - New York 2002) |
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March 2002 |
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Date: 2 Mar 2002 Time: 04:09 hello my name is Sean Collins Croal. I was wondering if I had ay relation to the guy in question? my E-mail is scroal@stmarys-ca.edu |
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Date: 16 Mar 2002 Time: 06:46 My name is Rosemary DeYoe Moffat, wife of John Michael Moffat, who is the son of James and Leona Moffat of Long Beach California. We're looking for relatives on the Moffat side of our family! If you think you're one, please contact us at mmoffat@sbcglobal.net |
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Date: 16/ Mar 2002 Time: 11:48 Not really an EPS question or comment as my query relates to the rival city over in the west - Glasgow! However, someone may have some interesting info. I am trying to get more background on the late J. Stephens Orr FRPS, whose studio was at 5 Somerset Place, GLASGOW. An outstanding portraitist with many famous people on his list. I worked for him in 1959. W. R. Milligan ABIPP ARPS. |
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Date: 16 Mar 2002 Time: 15:44
Excellent site! Very useful and just plain enjoyable! My site at Geocities.com/athens/pantheon/3828 refers to Scots footballers who served in the Great war & I am always looking for anythng referring to such. Your site is much better though! Graham Herriott |
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Date: 17 Mar 2002 Time: 16:36 This site was very helpful thankyou xxxxxxxx |
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Date: 20 Mar 2002 Time: 13:54 Great site, really nice images, Wondered if anyone can help me. Im desperately trying to find out what those boards are called that you put your head through to be photographed. Often found at the seaside, they usually depict unusual situations. My e-mail is: voodoosam@hotmail.com Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
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Date: 22 Mar 2002 Time: 23:17 Excellent site, having recently come across a enlaging latern made by William Hume, I now know a little about it. Gordon Milne Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. |
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Date: 31 Mar 2002 Time: 05:59 I have been researching our family history and had some old photos. One said "A & G Taylor, Artistic Photographers 63 princes Street, Edinburgh also 127 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow" and the other "Drummond Shiels, Edinburgh". I was trying to figure out who was in the picture. A brief description was written on the back eg "Granddad Jones" but trying to figure out whether it was Grandpa or Great Grandpa was difficult. So I did a search on "Google.com" and up came your website. By finding the years that these studios were in existence I have been able ascertain who is in the photos. If a photo has a number on it, can it be traced any further? Thank you Sheila in British Columbia, Canada |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: I'm pleased that this site was some help in dating your photos. Unfortunately, even where there is a number on the back of an old photo, no record normally seems to have survived to help identify the sitter. I suspect that, in many cases, the photographer himself may never have kept a record of the sitter's name. He would merely need to file his glass negatives in numeric order, without knowing who the subjects were, then if he was asked for more copies of, say, negative 12345 he would find the negative and make the prints. The glass negatives would have been heavy and bulky, so often it would not have been practical to store the negatives for many years. Even where collections of thousands of negatives were built up, these appear to have often been disposed of when the photographer retired, or was taken over, or moved to new studios. However the number on the back can still be useful in dating a photo. These numbers used were used in order, from 1 upwards to, say, 20,000 or 50,000. So if a photographer was at an address for many years, the number can sometimes be used to narrow down the likely period when a photo had been taken. |
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April 2002 |
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Date: 16 Apr 2002 Time: 10:24 An excellent site that has been very useful in research but is also a delight to browse through. Many thanks for the hard work. Ray Norman. www.worldofstereoviews.com |
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Date: 19 Apr 2002 Time: 09:23 I like your site and I will come back to it. I am interested in the early history of Dry plates and you write: "Dry plates had been available from about 1860, but they only really became popular in the 1870s when the dry-plate maker, Richard Leach Maddox...." but I have never seen sufficent evidence that others were making dry plates... only an experiment here and there... do you have a referance for this early (1860) claim? I would like to see it. Thank you and Thanks for the site! Ray <slow_emulsions@yahoo.com> |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: Ray: There may have been little commercial production of dry plates in the 1860s. However, there was certainly some experimenting with them amongst the members of photographic societies, as can be seen from this selection of lectures given to Edinburgh Photographic Society. The first of these was given in 1861, the year that Edinburgh Photographic Society was founded. The remainder were all given in the 1860s. Please click here for further details: - The Relative Advantages of Wet and Dry Collodian Process - On Preparing Dry Plates in Daylight - Dry Plates versus Wet Plates - Dry Processing in Photography - Preparing Dry Plates in Full Daylight - Dry Plates and Wet Plates - Chlorido Bromide Dry Plates - A Few More Words on Dryplates Many of the early photographic lectures were covered in the British Journal of Photography and other contemporary photographic journals. If you have access to any of these, you may find some interesting details recorded. I'll put a little more info on my Wet Collodion and Dry Plate pages on this web site, but it will be a few days before I publish these pages again. |
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Date: 20 Apr 2002 Time: 01:18 Wonderful site! I actually have a photo from the J Drummond Shiels studio. I recently finished a book on Shiels Family history. If any Shiels relatives connected to this site, I would love to hear from them at dshiels@mts.net Thanks Dan Shiels Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
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Date: 24 Apr 2002 Time: 16:11 i thaught this was gr8 it got me all the info i wanted |
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May 2002 |
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Date: 3 May 2002 Time: 10:30 I came to your site as I have a photocard with the writing "Colinton Dell" on it.It shows a cataract as the main feature.The postcard back is by'Paget Prize Self Toning' & it is c.1903-18.A Dublin Street address(no city or town given)is written on the back.Pics are potentially useful for identifying such cards. Tim Stephens,Hampshire |
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Date: 5 May 2002 Time: 16:13 a VERY VERY helpful site, great detail info...but tried to research on "nadar" ( experimented on wet-plate process) and ur serach engine didnt recognise. but the site is terrific. |
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Date: 22/05/2002 Time: 09:37 Thank you for confirming that my interpretation of a very faint impression in the bottom corner of a family group photo that looks like it might have been taken around 1913 could indeed be R S Webster, Edin. |
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Date: 12 May 2002 Time: 09:43 And further to my comment re confirmation of R S Webster's dates, you also allowed me to narrow down the date of a family photograph of Thomas and Jane MIDDLEMAS taken by Thos BURNS, 5 Maitland St Edinburgh, to 1889 to 1910, alhtough I would have to admit Jane looks younger than that, as my first guess, without that info, was late 1870s. Regards, Lorna McIntosh Lorna_Henderson@bigfoot.com |
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Date: 15 May 2002 Time: 01:47 Dear Sir, I found your website in 'Scots' magazine. I loved Scotland ever since I was a wee kid; moreso since I visited your country in 2000. My first citing of Edinbrough was like something out of a dream! I shall never forget it! And looking at your website brings it all back for me. |
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Date: 15 May 2002 Time: 06:29 I found your site yesterday on a quest fora 1864 photogrpher J Weir. I was not disappointed.Every page is so interesting I will be a steady visitor. DL Kington Tucson Az. USA |
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Date: 15 May 2002 Time: 19:20 Hello Very interesting site. My gggrandfather William Richardson was a miller at Parton Mill and married Margaret Tod Dalziel father John Dalziel mother Margaret Mitchel.In 1852 the family came to Wellington County,Ontario,Canada.In the census in Ontario the family was listed as being FC.William built a church on his property which was a Free Church. I am looking for information on the Richardson family of Parton Mill. Chum chumrichardson@yahoo.ca |
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Date: 20/ May 2002 Time: 14:14 What happened to the other brothers and sisters of D.O. Hill? |
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Date: 22 May 2002 Time: 20:41 WHERE CAN I GET A 126 FILM DEVELOPED jl.mcquillan@tiscali.co.uk tel01292 287033 this has a 1571 answer service. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: If you key in the following to the search field on www.google.com, it will give you a few companies that can process your "126"film: |
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Date: 27 May 2002 Time: 20:51 IS THERE A SITE WHERE I CAN VIEW THE HILL-ADAMSON PHOTOS OF THEIR SHOTS OF THE LINLITHGOW RAILWAY PHOTOS? YOUR SITE IS VERY WELL DONE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PUT IT ON THE NET MALCOLM ANDERSON MALBARANDERSON@MSN.COM |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: I' believe that the photos you are looking for are held by Glasgow University. Copies are also included in a Hill & Adamson bi-centenary Exhibition currently open at Linlithgow. Please click here for more details. |
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June 2002 |
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Date: 2 Jun 2002 Time: 18:16 This is an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC website!! Im studying photography and this website has hepled me more than you will ever know!!!! THANK YOU so much for all the infomation! To all those that contributed to the making of this website - a big, fat kiss from me! Channelle , South Africa. |
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Date: 3 Jun2002 Time: 21:43 cant find anything on greyfriers cemetary |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: You may find what you are looking for on this site: www.headstones.fsnet.co.uk. |
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Date: 8 Jun 2002 Time: 15:22 Thanks to your web site I have discovered that my G.G.Uncle Charles Drummond was a prfessional photographer as well as a Bookbinder/Printer. He had premises at 133 Kirkgate, Leith. I would like to know if the EPS has any other info. on him. frankandanne.fleming@ntlworld.com |
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Date: 21 Jun 2002 Time: 13:18 Hi i have a booklet of valentine's snapshots of 12 photographs with dunoon writen on the bottom with castle gardens and pier,dunoon east bay west bay eastesplanade and pier castle gardens war memorial and parvilian the waterworks loch loskin bathing lido morags fairy glen west baypier and highland mary statue my Q,is how old are they,what would they be woth in todays markets ps. reply to D_rahala@hotmail.com |
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Date: 26 Jun 2002 Time: 12:49 Hi I have a GGG Grandfather Thomas Pursey from Somerset thus am interested in any Pursey but more so any who carry the same name as one of my relatives. Thus I would love to hear from anyone who can add to my family treee. |
| July 2002 |
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Date: 2 Jul 2002 Time: 05:57
Excellent site. I am using the info on professional photographers to approximately date some of my inherited photos. The examples of photographic types is also helpful. I will be visiting the site again and again. Ian Rankine Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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Date: 8 Jul 2002 Time: 13:46
I am trying to locate where James Gordon photograper of Fraserburg is located |
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Date: 12 Jul 2002 Time: 08:41
What a wonderful site! For someone interested in Edinburgh's history, this is a great "view" of her past. Chip Clark chip@royalstuarts.org |
| August 2002 |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 5 Aug 2002 Apologies! The Guest Book appears to have been out of action since mid-July. It should be working again now. - Peter Stubbs |
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Date: 9 Aug 2002 Time: 02:27
I have aquired a Portrait painted by Norman Macbeth. I don't know the sitters name, However, The name of the portrait is " Portrait of a Man" Do you have any more information on this portrait? I would really like to know more Thank you |
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Date: 15 Aug2002 Time: 09:03
thank you peter for your help judy shanks australia |
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Date: 15 Aug 2002 Time: 17:52
Greetings, Nice site. I do need to comment on your wet plate description though. Being praticioner of this art I need to point out some of your information is incorrect and not comprehensive. If you would like more detailed feedback feel free to contact me at : watsok@frii.com respectfully Ken Watson |
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Reply from Peter Stubbs: 10 Sep 2002 Many thanks for your offer, Ken. I'll email you. The main purpose of this site was to record my research into Edinburgh's early photographers. My pages on the early photographic processes were added mainly to give an indication of the type of difficulties that some of the early photographers must have had to encountered. ___________________________________________________________ Update from Peter Stubbs: 17 Sep 2002 Thanks, Ken, for sending me your comments. I've updated the wet collodion, ambrotype, tintype and photo size pages to take account of your comments. |
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Date: 22 Aug 2002 Time: 19:27
am looking for info on some steroegraph(?)photos i have from underwood publishers , circa 1900 and 1898, of president mckinley and his cabinet members.(set of 10 ) thanks for your time , this was a very informative site thanks melanie |
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September 2002 |
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Date: 4 Sep 2002 Time: 07:50
Was surfing looking for old maps of Inveresk, where my family was in the 1880's...very interesting site, good images! The old maps and photos are great, a slice of history. Bruce Jamieson, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA brucejamieson@yahoo.com |
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Date: 4 Sep 2002 Time: 13:26
I was interested find this site through a search for the name 'Durward'. One of my Ancestors married a 'Robert J Durward' = Amy Perry. Her Uncle, Aunt and Cousin (Milner) were Photographers in the London area. The only 'Robert Durward' I could find was from Scotland. |
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Update Thank you to Ian James Durward Smith, Chicago, USA for posting the following additional information in the EdinPhoto GuestBook on 3 January 2006. Ian wrote:
"I was searching for my granfather Robert J.
Durward in Google and discovered an entry from someone who was doing some
searching of their own as noted in your guestbook 4 Sept. 2002.Robert
James Durward was killed in WW1 on 18 March 1918. Yes he was married to my
grandmother Amy Perry, they had two daughters and I am the son of the
youngest Isabel. The photographer you mention was Amy Perry Milner who
died in the early eighties I believe. - Peter Stubbs: 5 January 2006 |
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Date: 14 Sep 2002 Time: 15:48
Hello, I am seeking information re James Brewster. He was born @ 1818 in Edinburgh (son of John Brewster and Alison Stevenson) and had a studio on Princes Street with a Mr. White in 1855. In 1860, he married Christina McIlwraith of Newton Upon Ayr and opened a studio on High Street in Ayr. Am trying to establish relationship (if any) to Sir David Brewster. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Janice Shaw |
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Reply from Peter Stubbs: I have checked with somebody who has a good knowledge of the Sir David Brewster and his work. Here is the reply that I received: “David Brewster's family came from Jedburgh, and looking through the Home Life written by his daughter M.M. Gordon, published in 1869, it is unlikely that the Brewsters in this enquiry are very close relatives.” [Thank you to: Alison Morrison-Low] |
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Date: 21 Sep 2002 Time: 04:10
I HAVE A VERY LARGE CARBON PHOTOGRAOH OF "THE SOWER" IT IS IN SEPIA TYPE TONES.THE FRAME IS QUARTER SAWN OAK WITH A SMALL BRASS ENGRAVED LABLE READING A "GIFT OF THE PALISADE SCHOOL", THE GLASS IS HAND ROLLED WITH ALL THE NORMAL FLAWS..THE PHOTO HAS A EMBOSSED MATT READING A.W.ELSON& COMPANY CARBON PHOTOGRAPH. J F MILLET PAINTED THE SOWER. HE IS A FAMOUS FRENCH ARTIST WHO DID MANY PEASENT SCENES. THE ORGINIAL PAINTING HAS HUNGS IN THE BOSTON MUSEUM SINCE AROUND 1880 ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER IT WAS FIRST PAINTED (I BELIEVE.THE PHOTO IS HUGE AND MEASURES AROUND 26"W X 34"H WITHOUT MATTING OR FRAME. THIS THING IS STUNNING, AND CAUSES EVERYONE TO ASK OF IT'S HISTORY . PLEASE FILL IN THE BLANK EXPRESSION ON MY FACE WITH AN INTELLEGENT COMMENT. WAS IT COMMON TO PHOTOGRAPH PAINTINGS? DO YOU KNOW ANY THING ABOUT THIS COMPANY? WHAT OF THE PALISADE SCHOOL IN BOSTON WAS IT LINKED TO PHOTOGRAPHY? DO YOU KNOW WHO WORKED THERE DOING PROJECTS LIKE THIS? |
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Date: 22 Sep 2002 Time: 00:56
G'day, Have been browsing through your web-site and found it fascinating. We are postal history collectors and have about forty letter to Sir James Grant at 5 Bath Street Portobello of the period 1828-34. It was great to find so much information about Portobello and to see the postcards of Bath Street. Sir James was Inspector General of Army Hospitals in Portobello Thanks for a great, user friendly website. Regards Ron and Eunice Shanahan in Queensland Australia ears@gil.com.au |
Great site,I enjoyed flicking through it! I ran Photogravure presses at Eric Bemrose Ltd,NW England for 13 years (Magazines) now print Newspapers (Cold set /Litho). Any photos of any Goss/Albert folders? mslater77@hotmail.com |
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October 2002 |
This is quite a good site although it is hard to access some pages from jake whittet 1/10/02 |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: Any particular pages, Jake? Do you mean that the pages are slow to load, or that you cannot find the pages you are looking for? If you send an e-mail to me peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk, I'll see if I can help. |
My name is Ian Kingsley Douglas THOMSON, son of Betty (Elizabeth) McRae Thomson and Eric James Douglas Watt. I was born in Bexhill but was left at an orphanage in Edinburgh. I returned to Scotland in the year 2000 but my efforts to find any relatives fell short. I believe. If there is anyone out there who can help me get in touch with relations I will be more than grateful. I was born on the 27th June, 1929. My email address is ikdm@bigpond.com and I live in Western Australia. Looking forward to hearing from someone. |
AS a historian I found this site invaluable to my research. Richard Rodger |
Very interesting site! Joseph M. Lees cscjoe@attbi.com |
ONYEORUGUY IGBOMAN NICE WEBSITE THANX |
Very interesting site found strictly by cruising the web. As my Grandfather, F. Dundas Todd, was a photographer in Edinburgh in the late 1800's I found it personally well worth the visit and shall return. |
i thought that this web was really good and exellent for information i found out more than what i expected.great for finding lots on the past thanks emma junior america |
i dont if anyone will be able to help me. Iam trying to find out some info about my grandfather KTW Baker. He was in the regiment during WW2, until 1960 when he was transfered to the junior leaders regiment at Tonfanau camp at Towyn in north wales.After which he was stationed at the army apprentices regiment at Chepstow. If anyone can help me i would be very gratful. you can e-mail me at stevankelly@sgriffiths28.fsnet.co.uk |
very good web site... nice pictures of kegs not enough men with helmets |
I have a photo of Queen Victoria taken by A&G Taylor. Dated 1879. I would like to know its value. Judy Erickson P.O. Box 2146 Sedona, AZ 86339 or email koolvw@sedona.net. The photo is framed and has the A&G Taylor label on it. |
I found this most interesting. William T. Bashford was my great grandfather. Sandra Hancock Griffin. |
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Reply from Peter Stubbs: 02 Nov 2002 Thanks for the comments. It's always good to hear from the descendants of early Edinburgh (and Portobello) photographers. If you have any information about William Bashford that you would like me to add to his page on this web site, please e-mail me. I have a few photos (cartes de visite and cabinet prints) from William Bashford's Portobello studios. I'll try to add them to this web site within the next few days ___________________________________________________________ Update from Peter Stubbs: 03 Nov 2002 I've now added the photos. If you click on these links, you'll find cartes de visite and cabinet prints from William Bashford's studio. |
Grüße aus Deutschland, wir haben einen Kupferstich (engrave) von G(?)Aikman.Das Bild zeigt einen alten Mann im Mantel mit weißen Haaren, auf einem Stuhl sitzend, ein Buch auf den Beinen, viele Bücher auf der Erde. Oberhalb des Bildes der Schriftzug: Edinburgh,Published March 1889 by W.G.Patterson. Proprietor 54 George Street. Unterhalb des Bildes der Schriftzug: Your´s faithfully G(?)Carlyle Das Bild ist 34,5 cm breit und 49cm hoch. Wir würden gern mehr über das Bild erfahren und versuchen es daher auf diesem Weg. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs I don't know the answer to this question, but I'll attempt to translate the question, then see if anybody else can answer it. I believe the message says (approximately): "Greetings from Germany, we have a copper engraving by G(?) Aikman. The picture shows an old man in the coat with white hair, sitting on a chair, a book on the arm, many books on floor. Above the picture the signature: Edinburgh, Published March 1889 by W.G. Patterson. Proprietor 54 George Street. Below the picture the signature: Yours faithfully G(?) Carlyle. The picture is 34.5 cm broad and 49cm high. We would like to learn more about the picture so we are asking the question here." - Peter Stubbs - 2 Nov 02 |
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November 2002 |
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Date: 2 Nov 2002
Time: 14:43
This was a fantastic site and even although I did not find what I wanted,( A large picture of Deacon Brodie)it was good fun looking at other stuff on the site. I would definitely reccomend it. It was brill. It is also fantastic. Did I mention it was faboulous? Not forgetting Cool |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 2 Nov 2002 I'll see if I can find a Deacon Brodie picture to add to the site. ___________________________________________________________ Update from Peter Stubbs: 13 Nov 2002 I've now added a couple of engravings. They are caricatures of Deacon Brodie by John Kay. I have also added with a photograph of Deacon Brodie's Tavern in the Royal Mile and of the sign on Deacon Brodie's Tavern that gives giving a brief account of his life and death. Please click on any of the items underlined above to see further details. |
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Date: 3 Nov 2002
Time: 16:42
My grandmother was Olive Low daughter of claude Low, she worked for her father in Edinburgh in Princes Street, I still have a number of her glass photo plates. Cherry Benzmann sa4531@eclipse.co.uk |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 13/11/2002 Cherry: It's good to hear from you. I'll e-mail you as soon. Meanwhile, I'll look out some of my old Claude Low photos and add them to this site. |
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Date: 4 Nov 2002
Time:
14:09
How much would a `Photographs of Scottish Scenery Glasgow` book with 12 prints be worth today. My e-mail address is petermac21@supanet.com |
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Date: 4 Nov 2002
Time:
19:54
My name is Roy Cramond. I live in Braintree, Mass. USA. My email is recglobe1@aol. Are there any other Cramonds around. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: Date: 13/11/2002 Have you tried leaving a message in the Guestbook on the Scottish Genealogy Society site? The address of the site is www.scotsgenealogy.com. |
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Date: 5 Nov 2002
Time:
19:37
Here are two COOL Homepages with plenty of photoes from ICELAND and NORWAY for anyone to take a look at. Check out: http://www.dobegood.net * http://islandia.is/aslaug-siggi * * These links seem to be no longer active - Peter Stubbs |
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Date: 9 Nov 2002
Time:
21:54
im looking for a james thomson originally from preisthill glasgow was/is an electrical engineer has a brother called peter in their 50s or 60s also looking for a robert ewing of drumoyne last wherabouts london west end rumours about canada any info would be great thanks james |
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Date: 10 Nov 2002
Time:
22:53
I have been away from Scotand for about 50 years I hailed from Edinburgh,I do go up there as often as I can, through my computer I have found out so many things about Edinburgh and the surrounding areas I did not realise that portobello sported such a lovely pier,and also I was interested in the Calton jail, my father was the foreman on the building of St.Andrews house,I was about 5 or 6 at that time and I remember that we had a priveleged spot to stand and wave to the King and Queen when they came past in their limousine, we all waved little union jacks.also at that time we used to watch out for the train which used to come along at 4 o'clock I cannot remember if it was the Royal,Flying or Coronation Scot,someone may know,anyway thank you for a wonderful site |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 13 Nov 2002 Thanks for sharing your memories. The train you mention sounds like the Flying Scotsman, that used to leave London at 10am, and take 6 hours to travel the 393 miles to Edinburgh. - Peter Stubbs - 13 Nov 02 |
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Date: 11 Nov 2002
Time:
13:15
Really enjoyed your site. I have an album full of early 1860-80 photos of scotland europe and canada. Looking for interest in them either restored or as limited edition prints. I>E I have one of princess st and gardens from castle looking down dated 1875. In good condition also very good conditon viewing card of Notre Damme dated 1862 with her majestys gold medal centennial emblem on back for photographers w.notman Montreal Contact me at mcquadeclan@hotmail.com |
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Date: 11 Nov 2002
Time:
15:36
Dear friends Your we site is very useful and nice, congratulation If it is possible for you ,Please visit our web :www.iranphotomuseum.com and then please give us your opinion, Please keep in touchBest regards Shojai Tabatabai info@iranphotomuseum.com |
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Date: 12 Nov 2002
Time:
12:04
Not a comment but a request for some help regarding a painting I have believed to be by Hugh Paton of a Cottage on the Isle of Arran. I am looking for someone who can authenticate it. It is oil on hardboard (not canvas) painted for a lady friend as a gift and passed through her family and onto mine. I have photos of it I can send to a gallery or expert to look at, or arrange a visit with the painting. Hope someone can advise. |
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Date: 15 Nov 2002
Time:
09:48
THIS IS A VERY GOOD SITE PLEASE KEEP IT UP. I AM IDEMUDIA KESSINGTON SEARCHING FOR ANY FAMILY CALLED KESSINGTON IN THE WORD KESS@MUGU.COM. alternate kessmudia@yahoo.com you will get me through this mail thanks. |
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Date: 15 Nov 2002
Time:
19:59
A marvellous site --- too much to see at one sitting. Would you object if I printed out (with acknowledgement) one or two pictures to supplement my family history material, which is not for publication? Plus have you any calotypes of the Disruption ministers? |
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Comments from Peter Stubbs: 16 Nov 2002 1. Copyright: Provided the note under the pictures on this web site says that I hold the copyright (as it will for my own photos and for many of the old engravings), I am happy for you to use the pictures as requested. If the note under the pictures says that somebody else holds the copyright, then I am not able to grant permission to you myself, but I should be able to tell you who to contact if you send me an e-mail. 2. Calotypes: I do have a few modern (20th century) prints taken from Hill & Adamson's calotype negatives, including several of groups of Disruption ministers. I have not added these to this web site because I don't know who made the prints. Is there any particular image that you are interested in? |
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Date: 16 Nov 2002
Time:
09:36
Thanks for the memories!... All too much to look at for and exile... Graeme Munro, South Australia!... |
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Date: 16 Nov 2002
Time:
22:40
I've just discovered your excellent site. I was born and brought up in Colinton but have been away for over 50 years. I remember Willie Hutcheson, newsagent, stationer and photographer and his sister "Tizzie" very well - too great characters. I'd love to find a photo of my Dad's shop, J.L.Hunter & Son, 7-9 Bridge Road, Colinton - any suggestions, please? |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 17 Nov 2002 Alex Hutcheson produced several attractive post cards of Colinton in the early 19th century. I have a few . None are of Bridge Road, but as his shop was in Bridge Road, it is quite possible that his post card series includes a view of Bridge Road. If I find one, I'll add a further note to this Guest Book. If you would prefer me to contact you by e-mail, please send me your e-mail address. |
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Date: 17 Nov 2002
Time:
00:30
I tried to see if there was anyone in SC by the name of Fred Bloom Jr. for a Social Studies project, but it didn't work. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 17 Nov 2002 I can confirm that there is nobody named Fred Bloom Jr. on my web site. I don't know of any photographers named Bloom. |
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Date: 17 Nov 2002
Time:
00:30
I tried to see if there was anyone in SC by the name of Fred Bloom Jr. for a Social Studies project, but it didn't work. |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 17 Nov 02 I can confirm that there is nobody named Fred Bloom Jr. on my web site. I don't know of any photographers named Bloom. |
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Date: 18 Nov 2002
Time: 00:39
I am trying to date a family tintype....I found this page in looking for dates these pictures were produced or were in vogue in southern America......possibly sometime after the Civil War..... My father often used the old expression, "Not on your tin-type." You have done a beautiful piece of work on this research. Thank you. ellen |
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Date: 19 Nov 2002
Time:
15:37
Hi, I represent an original alternative rock band from Slough, Berkshire called Sensus, www.sensusband.co.uk We are starting to make some interesting waves in the music industry for quite a new band. We are 2 months away from recording our second EP with world class producer Ronan Chris Murphy, who has worked with a who's who list of artists, view www.venetowest.com for his long list of diverse clients. We are currently trying to find a photographer who would be willing to work with the band for their next photoshoot and we thought this would be an ideal opportunity for a keen/amateur photographer. We would be willing to pay travel and materials costs to the person who undertakes the work. If you think you know someone who would like to take this opportunity, please forward this message to them and have them contact me back on barrie.jarman@digitalrum.com Thanks Baj - Sensus |
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Date: 21 Nov 2002
Time: 03:42
Have enjoyed perusing your site and will return to further check it. Thanks for a very informative site. |
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December 2002 |
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Date: 1 Dec 2002
Time:
15:28
this site does not show any up2 date photos of edinburgh at christmas time (the santas village and big wheel etc)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jade (from edinburgh!) |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 01/12/2002 Here is one picture of the Big Wheel, which has been on the site for a while. I recently added more recent pictures of Edinburgh Today. So far I have added May, August and November. When I add my December photos, you should find some of the Big Wheel and of ice skating in East Princes Street Gardens. ___________________________________________________________ Comment from Peter Stubbs: 24/12/2002 I have now started to add some photos of Christmas in Edinburgh to this site. You will find them on the December page. |
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Date: 6 Dec 2002
Time:
19:07
My grandfather was James Flucker from Newhaven he married Jessie Clarke,they moved to Lower Granton Road and had 5 children,Isobel,Jessie,Sophie,Daniel and Bettie. My father Daniel is still alive and well,as is Isobel who was the eldest of the children.They all lived at 22 Lower Granton Road in the square. It would be good to hear from anybody who grow up with them or who remembers them. clive.flucker@ntlworld.com |
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Date: 8 Dec 2002
Time: 09:37
Thank you. I have been compiling my family tree and have photos by G.R Mackay, Edward Reuben Yerbury and J.R Coltart all around the great war. Your information has been most helpful Peter Jenkins peter.jenkins1@virgin.net |
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Date: 8 Dec 2002
Time:
17:51
hi! very cool site! was trying to trace down to see where the fires are?! any idea what is going on out there?! regards from amsterdam!! |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 8 Dec 2002 - midnight The fire apparently started in the area near the Gilded Balloon Theatre, 233 Cowgate at about 8pm yesterday (Sat 7 Dec). The fire is now reported to be under control, but several buildings have been badly damaged or destroyed. The Cowgate runs parallel to the Royal Mile in the valley to the south of the Royal Mile, and passes under South Bridge. The area damaged runs along the south side of Cowgate from Guthrie Street to South Bridge, then along the west side of South Bridge as far as Chamber Street. Please click here to see a page on the City Guide to Edinburgh Festivals web site, to see a photo of the Gilded Balloon Theatre in the Cowgate. (If you get a 'Runtime Error' message, click 'No') The Gilded Balloon Theatre has been the venue for many comedy acts in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August. In the background of this photo, the Cowgate can be seen passing under South Bridge. Click on the 'Show on Map' link at the top of the City Guide web site page. This will provide a map of the area. The Gilded Balloon Theatre lies below the letter 'G' of Cowgate on this map. It is immediately to the south of the Tron Kirk (or Church) in Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Update from Peter Stubbs: 9 Dec 02 The firemen are still around today, but fires appear to have stopped burning. They have left about 11 buildings very badly damaged. Some are in an unsafe condition, and will probably have to be demolished. Here are some photos of the burnt out Gilded Balloon theatre today. Update from Peter Stubbs: 11 Dec 02 The police believe that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault in a faulty fuse box. Update from Peter Stubbs: 24 Dec 02 For the past two weeks, the damaged buildings have been taken down by hand, but late last Friday (20 December) there was a dramatic collapse of two of the walls into the street. These walls had become unstable because the floors had burnt and left a large amount of debris pressing onto the walls. The walls of some of the surrounding buildings are now unstable. One of the collapsed walls is that above the Gilded Balloon. The ground floor wall and arches above the street are still standing. Attempts are being made to stabilize them. The area destroyed is were the Cowgate passes under South Bridge. Much of it is below the street level of South Bridge. It was only when the walls collapsed last week that the extent of the damage could be seen from street level. Despite the damage or destruction of about 11 buildings, this is only a very small area of Edinburgh's Old Town. Most of the Old Town remains unaffected, and all the familiar views still look the same. I'll add more photos to this site soon. I have added maps showing the buildings damaged or destroyed by fire. I'll add more photos to this site soon. |
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Date: 9 Dec 2002
Time: 10:52
In 1994 i lived in Edimburgh, it were one of the best year of my life, i think it´s one of the best cities of the word. |
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Date: 10 Dec 2002
Time: 22:03
this site is fantastic, I've been compiling genealogy info for my family (Edinburgh ancestry) and thanks to your site I think I've found where a trophy cup for swimming originated. It is engraved with Royal Gymnasium , Boyton Pond 1875. Please keep up the great work, much appreciated Linda McNeil |
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Date: 12 Dec 2002
Time: 17:52
Great pictures from the open day at the Royal High School Peter, any chance of us getting a copy of the one of the debating chamber with the two of us in the middle? Very impressed by your website - will visit it again soon. Sue & Doug |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 14 Dec 02 Sue & Doug: I will send a copy of the photo to you by post today. |
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Date: 18 Dec 2002
Time: 09:45
I'm seeking information on my mother's great uncle named (Peter?) McGill, who was a worker on the building of the Forth Rail Bridge. He apparently had the reputation of being the strongest man on the bridge, and could lift an anvil over his head. His nickname was "Mad Mick". After the bridge was finished, he opened a small photography studio at the Hawes pier, adjacent to the bridge on the South Queensferry side, and operated there for many years. Any clues? Bruce Hogg brucehogg@aol.com |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 19 Dec 02 McGill sounds to have been a great character! Let's hope somebody can supply more info on him. I'll see if I can discover anything. ___________________________________________________________ Comment from Peter Stubbs: 24 Dec 02 I've found quite a lot of details in books and news cuttings relating to the architect of Forth Rail Bridge and the firm that built the bridge. So far, I've found very little reference to any of the individual builders. In the summer of 1888, a couple of years before the bridge was completed, there were 4,600 men working on its construction. |
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Date: 21 Dec 2002
Time:
08:46
My Name is Kaitlin Parrovechio, Daughter of John Frank Parrovechio. My father is from Rockford Illinois. if you think you might be related to me, please contact me at grungeneeeze@hotmail.com. thank you. |
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Date: 26 Dec 2002
Time:
10:46
I was born in the Scottish Borders (Selkirk). I love my capital city Edinburgh, It makes me so proud to be Scottish. Fantastic site, John shiels e-mail j.shiels@whsmithnet.co.uk |
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Date: 27 Dec 2002
Time: 21:57
A superior web page. I'm researching Carbon Printing and so far you are on top for historical and accurate data. Best to all of you on the other side of the pond. Barclay Travis Cook |
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Date: 28 Dec 2002
Time: 02:22
Hello, Can someone tell me where to look for information on A.W. Elson and Co. of Boston? I have a print dated 1904 and it is way to cool. I would love to find info on it, but I'm drowning in the Web. Thanks TimberTee@yahoo.com |
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Comment from Peter Stubbs: 28 Dec 02 Much of the work of AW Elson appears to have been photogravure images, produced in the 1890s, often portraits for illustrations in books including some for limited editions. However the Appalachian Arts web site refers to AW Elson photogravures in a book published in 1925. This site also gives a very brief definition of the photogravure process. |
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Date: 31 Dec 2002
Time:
17:29
Thank You for the time you have spent to make early photography understandable. I'm a little closer to determining who the person was in the photograph obviously treasured by my Grandmother |
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(B) Guest Book Comments Edinburgh Old Town Fire! Archive December 2002 |
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Comments in the Guest Book |
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Here are a couple of messages that appeared in the EdinPhoto Guest Book following the Edinburgh Old Town Fire in December 2002. |
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Date: 08/12/2002 Time: 17:15:01 "Hi! very cool site! I was trying to trace down to see where the fires are?! Any idea what is going on out there?! Regards from Amsterdam!!" |
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Date: 03/01/2002 Time: 01:19:12 "I was lucky enough to make my first visit to Edinburgh late last year. It's devastating to see the damage from the fires but thanks to your website I was at least able to ascertain that my friends there weren't in the middle of it - though not far away, in Schoolyards. Thank you for the service; is there any way of posting condolences to the people of Edinburgh? They must be feeling gutted. Cheers, Jan" |
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Please scroll down this page to read about subsequent developments. |
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Replies from Peter Stubbs |
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8 Dec 02 |
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9 Dec 02 |
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11 Dec 02 |
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24 Dec 02 |
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24 Dec 02 |
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3 Jan 03 |
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11 Jan 03 |
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12 Jan 03 |
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25 Jan 03 |
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25 Jan 03 |
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15 Mar 03 |
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15 Mar 03 |
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21 Mar 03 |
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13 May 03 |
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25 Aug 03 |
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26 Aug 03 |
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3 Oct 03 |
17. Housing Plan |
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5 Dec 03 |
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14 Dec 03 |
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27 Jun 04 |
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13 Sep 04 |
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3 Nov 04 |
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3 Apr 05 |
23. Future Use |
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16 Jan 06 |
24. Developer Chosen |
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23 Jun 06 |
25. Development Announced - SoCo |
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27 Aug 06 |
26. Hotel with Glass Dome |
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23 Apr 07 |
27. Fringe Venue 2007 |
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23 Apr 07 |
28. Hotel proposed |
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23 Apr 07 |
29. Hotel criticised |
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23 Apr 07 |
30. Hotel recommended |
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23 Apr 07 |
31. Hotel approved |
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23 Apr 07 |
32. Detailed Plans |
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23 Apr 07 |
33. Latest News |
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The fire apparently started in the area near the Gilded Balloon Theatre, 233 Cowgate at about 8pm yesterday (Sat 7 Dec). The fire is now reported to be under control, but several buildings have been badly damaged or destroyed. The Cowgate runs parallel to the Royal Mile in the valley to the south of the Royal Mile, and passes under South Bridge. The area damaged runs along the south side of Cowgate from Guthrie Street to South Bridge, then along the west side of South Bridge as far as Chamber Street. Please click here to see a page on the City Guide to Edinburgh Festivals web site, to see a photo of the Gilded Balloon Theatre in the Cowgate. (If you get a 'Runtime Error' message, click 'No') The Gilded Balloon Theatre has been the venue for many comedy acts in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August. In the background of this photo, the Cowgate can be seen passing under South Bridge. Click on the 'Show on Map' link at the top of the City Guide web site page. This will provide a map of the area. The Gilded Balloon Theatre lies below the letter 'G' of Cowgate on this map. It is immediately to the south of the Tron Kirk (or Church) in Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Peter Stubbs: 8 Dec 02 - midnight |
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The firemen are still around today, but fires appear to have stopped burning. They have left about 11 buildings very badly damaged. Some are in an unsafe condition, and will probably have to be demolished. Here are some photos of the burnt out Gilded Balloon theatre today. Peter Stubbs: 9 Dec 02 |
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The police believe that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault in a faulty fuse box in one of the buildings. Peter Stubbs: 11 Dec 02 It has now been confirmed by the Fire Brigade that the most likely cause of the fire was a faulty fuse box in a former department store's disused lift shaft. Peter Stubbs: 15 Mar 03 |
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For the past two weeks, the damaged buildings have been taken down by hand, but late last Friday (20 December) there was a dramatic collapse of two of the walls into the street. These walls had become unstable because the floors had burnt and left a large amount of debris pressing onto the walls. The walls of some of the surrounding buildings are now unstable. One of the collapsed walls is that above the Gilded Balloon. The ground floor wall and arches above the street are still standing. Attempts are being made to stabilize them. The area destroyed is were the Cowgate passes under South Bridge. Much of it is below the street level of South Bridge. It was only when the walls collapsed last week that the extent of the damage could be seen from street level. I have added maps showing the buildings damaged or destroyed by fire. I'll add more photos to this site soon. Peter Stubbs: 24 Dec 02 |
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Despite the damage to or destruction of about 11 buildings, this is only a very small area of Edinburgh's Old Town. Most of the Old Town remains unaffected, and all the familiar views still look the same. The South Bridge was opened again to traffic again today, and visitors are arriving in Edinburgh for the Christmas and New Year Celebrations, which will be held as planned. Peter Stubbs: 24 Dec 02 |
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6. Only a very small part of the Old Town has been lost Thanks for your comments and your thoughts. I don't know of anywhere to post condolences or comments. However, despite the serious loss of buildings, the area affected is only a small part of the Old Town, and there was no loss of life or injury. The familiar views of the Old Town, Royal Mile, Castle, Holyrood, Grassmarket, etc. have survived the fire and are all in tact: All the Christmas and New Year festivities took place as planned with lots of visitors around Edinburgh over the past ten days. Peter Stubbs: 3 Jan 03 |
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Demolition is continuing, behind the hoardings. It is unlikely that the site will be clear until Easter, and the true cause of the fire may never be known for certain. However discussion on how the site may be rebuilt have begun. Suggestions include the following:
- pedestrianised shopping gallery A link between South Bridge and Cowgate that passes under the bridge could bring more visitors to Cowgate and surrounding areas during the day. In the past, Cowgate has been lively at night, but seen fewer visitors through the day. Peter Stubbs: 11 Jan 03 [Edinburgh Evening News: 8 January 03] The owners of the destroyed properties are considering how the site might be redeveloped. They are being advised by architects Malcolm Fraser and James Simpson. Peter Stubbs: 15 Mar 03 [Edinburgh Evening News: 1 March 03] |
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8. Competition for Redevelopment A website has been created to allow architects, design students and the public to enter a competition. This is an unofficial competition, organised by the design firm Inigo Media and Adrian Welch, editor of the website www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk. The competition is looking for ideas of how the site at South Bridge / Cowgate destroyed by fire might be redeveloped. The competition is totally speculative. The organisers, Indigo Media, have no links the council, the South Bridge Trust, the owners of the site or any conservation organisation. However, the organisers plan to offer full feedback from the competition to the South Bridge Trust. Peter Stubbs: 12 Jan 03 |
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The competition was judged by Martin Hulse, Director of the Cockburn Association and Professor Charles McKean of Dundee University. The winning design, by Edinburgh West End architects, Galloway Associates, incorporated a twelve storey tower, and buildings of traditional stone and glass, with views through the site to the Tron Kirk and St Giles. The winning design was by the Edinburgh architects Ron Galloway Associates. Second place in the competition was awarded to Thomas Hamilton, architects, West Crosscauseway, whose plan included retail, offices, pubs and performing arts space, with a pedestrianised Chambers Street and a public square. The entries are to be on display at Edinburgh University's Matthew Gallery, Chamber Street until 19 March 03.
Peter Stubbs:
15 Mar 03
[Edinburgh Evening News: 11 March 03] |
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South Bridge was opened to traffic on Christmas Eve. It is hoped that it will be possible to open Cowgate by Easter 2003. The arched wall at the front of the Gilded Balloon has been saved. It is now hidden behind scaffolding for protection. Peter Stubbs: 25 Jan 03 [Edinburgh Evening News: 22 January 03] |
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City of Edinburgh Council has given the owners of the properties that have been damaged and destroyed 12 months to reach agreement on the future use of the site. Peter Stubbs: 25 Jan 03 [Edinburgh Evening News: 22 January 03] |
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11. The Gilded Balloon - 2003 onwards Plans are being made to stage the Gilded Balloon's comedy shows during the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Edinburgh University student union at Teviot Row and at the Venue nightclub, and possibly also at Bristo Square for outdoor events. [The Times: 9 February 2003] The owner, Karen Koren, hopes that the Gilded Balloon will be able to return, some day, to the Cowgate, though she is also considering other sites. She hopes to find a venue that will be able to provide shows throughout the year, rather than just during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. [Evening News: 13 March03 pp.6-7] Peter Stubbs: 15 Mar 03
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12. The Gilded Balloon - Benefit Night "Gutted!", a benefit night for the Gilded Balloon is to be held at Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 20 March 03, featuring Bill Bailey, Jerry Shadowitz, Sean Hughes and many others. A similar night was held at Piccadilly Circus, London in January. Peter Stubbs: 15 Mar 03 [Evening News: 13 March 03 pp.6-7] |
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It has been announced that demolition work on the site of the fire has been completed, and that the Cowgate is to re-open to pedestrians and vehicles on Monday 24 March, a month ahead of schedule. Peter Stubbs: 21 Mar 03 [Evening News: 21 March 03 p9] |
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The site is now due to be handed back to the owners. They are reported to be keen for their businesses to be rebuilt on the site, and are expected, soon, to commission architects Malcolm Fraser to produce detailed designs for redevelopment. One suggestion proposed for 2003 is that a giant marquee should be erected to enable the site to be used during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August for exhibitions and live music. It is not known yet whether it will be practical for this proposal to go ahead. Peter Stubbs: 13 May 03 [Evening News: 8 May 03 p3] |
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The site was cleared and the Cowgate reopened to traffic, on time, by Easter 2003. This view looks down from South Bridge onto the cleared site beside the Cowgate in June 2003. Peter Stubbs: 25 July 03 |
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August saw the visitors and entertainers return to the streets of Edinburgh for the festival. Here is one of the street performers giving his show in Hunter's Square beside the Tron Kirk. In the background is the site of the Old Town Fire, eight months earlier with the dome of Edinburgh University Old College behind. Peter Stubbs: 26 August 03 |
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17. Housing Plan Following public consultation about the lack of housing in the proposed development of the site, Edinburgh Council has agreed to change their planning brief to allow some housing to be included if the architects can ensure that residential needs will be met. Malcolm Fraser, the Edinburgh architect, hired by the owners of the site commented that it would be good to get a "lived in and loved atmosphere". It may be possible to include some housing, especially in the upper stories that were used mainly for storage before the fire. [Edinburgh Evening News: 30 September 03] [Herald & Post 2 October 03] Edinburgh is unusual in already having a good mix of residential property close to the city centre, in both the Old Town and the New Town. Peter Stubbs: 3 October 03 |
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18. Feasibility Study commissioned Edinburgh University and other owners of the fire site (who have taken advice from the architect Duncan Fraser) have now commissioned an economic feasibility study to look at various options for redevelopment. Results of the feasibility study are expected in spring 04. [Edinburgh Evening News: 29 November 03, p9] Peter Stubbs: 5 December 03 |
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It is now a year since the fire broke out in the Old Town. Malcolm Fraser, the architect who has been advising the owners on possible redevelopment of the site that it will be a further two years, and more probably about four years, before work on reconstruction of the site begins. [The Metro: 9 December 03, p17] Peter Stubbs: 14 December 03 |
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20. Billboards and Reconstruction Plans Concern has been expressed by heritage bodies concerning plans to erect advertising billboards on the site of the Old Town Fire until the site is developed. It is anticipated that initial development proposals for the site will be will be announced within the next few weeks, though it is expected to be several years before development starts. [Edinburgh Evening News: 3 June 04, p23] Peter Stubbs: 27 June 04 |
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21. Rebuilding to commence - Summer 2005? It is expected that building work on the site of the Old Town Fire might commence in Summer 2005, and might be completed in 2007. Developers are expected to soon submit bids for projects including nightclubs, bars, shops, restaurants, offices and flats, to be followed by a formal Planning Application in early 2005. The Gilded Balloon comedy club is not expected to return to this site. The owners of the site have yet to select a development partner. They have received proposals from the architect, Malcolm Fraser (architect for Dance Base in the nearby Grassmarket) for a proposal including a central square, closes and wide steps leading from the Cowgate to South Bridge. A new building, featuring traditional stonework and glass, about the same height as the buildings destroyed by fire, is expected. [Edinburgh Evening News: 17 August 04, p9] Peter Stubbs: 13 September 04 |
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Work is due to start in summer 2005 on a £20m scheme to build offices, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs on the site destroyed by fire in December 2002. The joint-owners of the site have invited six parties to submit their proposals for the site. The names have not been announced but these are believed to include RMJM, the firm that together with Enric Miralles, designed the Scottish Parliament, opened in October 2004. Andrew Burrell and Mr Malcolm Fraser (who gave advice to the owners shortly after the fire) have also confirmed their interest in this project. [Edinburgh Evening News: 6 October 04, p16] Peter Stubbs: 3 November 04 |
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23. Future use? The following are all reported to have expressed interest in building on the site of the Old Town fire:
- the Scottish Courts
- the Filmhouse and
Edinburgh International Film Festival
- housing firms and a
supermarket The owners are expected to announce their preferred developer within the next few weeks.
[Edinburgh
Evening News: 28 March 2005 p.7] Peter Stubbs: 3 April 05 |
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24. Developer Chosen It was announced on 16 December 2005 that out of an original 25 developers who expressed an interest in this site, one has now been chosen. It is Whiteburn Properties. They have been successful in buying out the eight existing site owners for an estimated £4m, and that they plan to create a "modernist contemporary" building on the site. The development is expected to cost a further £20m. It is expected to include a hotel, offices, shops, bars, restaurants, a night club, a live music venue, new sheriff court buildings and flats. Public closes and two mini-courtyards are also planned for the site. This scheme was the one chosen by the eight owners of the site, from four schemes offered to them. Whiteburn hope to seek planning permission from Edinburgh City Council in summer 2006 and to begin construction one year later. Whiteburn will be working with architect Allan Murray on this project. He designed the Tun Building on the site of the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery in Holyrood Road. He is also currently working with Mountgrange on the Caltongate development of the former New Street bus depot. [Edinburgh Evening News: 16 Dec 2005 pp.1,5] Peter Stubbs: 16 January 06 |
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25. Development Announced - SoCo Developers, Whiteburn, have announced a £60m plan, designed by architect Allan Murray, to build a 140-bed hotel, offices, homes a night, club, with perhaps a gallery, concert hall, cinema or 1,000-seat theatre on the site of the Old Town fire. It is proposed that two squares will be built within the development. The site faces onto South Bridge and Cowgate and is to be known as 'SoCo'. Comparisons have been made with the New York area, 'SoHo', so named for being South of Houston. It is expected that a planning application for this development will be submitted to Edinburgh City Council during 2006 and that the development will take three or four years to build. [Edinburgh Evening News: May 22, 2006, p.3] [Edinburgh Evening News: May 23, 2006, p.8] Both these papers have illustrations of the proposed building Peter Stubbs: 23 June 06 |
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Part of the proposed SoCo development on the site of the Old Town fire is to be a £40m 140-bed hotel and leisure complex with a large glass dome, on the corner of Chamber Street and South Bridge. This has been designed by the Edinburgh architect, Allan Murray. A computer generated image of the proposed development appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News on August 16, 2006. Whiteburn Projects have now acquired the whole site from the many previous owners - with the exception of the owner of La Belle Angele nightclub who has refused to sell and intends to re-open his nightclub at the same location [Edinburgh Evening News: August 16, 2006, p.4] Peter Stubbs: 27 August 06 |
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The site of the Old Town fire in the Cowgate is to be hired out to 'C Venues' to become a tented village, with musical theatre, drama and visual art taking place during the Edinbrugh Festival in August 2007. 'C Venues' also propose to use empty offices at the back of the fire site for other Edinburgh Festival Fringe events in 2007. Meanwhile, the owners of the site have still to submit detailed planning applications for their proposed SoCo development, comprising hotel, cultural centre, shops, bars and restaurants on the site. [Edinburgh Evening News: August 16, 2006, p.4] Peter Stubbs: May 24, 2007 |
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Developer, Whitburn Projects, proposes a £40m 200-bed hotel is proposed for the site. They describe it as a "funky budget boutique hotel"! It is also proposed to create a glass walkway linking South Bridge and Cowgate. The scheme has been designed by architect, Alan Murray, and also includes: - a shop - a main restaurant and bar - a Café - a business centre - a new home for La Belle Angele nightclub - an extension to Chamber Street jazz cellar - two new pends and courtyards. The developers hope to get planning consent soon and to build the development during 2009-10. [Edinburgh Evening News: Sep 23, 2008: p.8] Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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Edinburgh-based author, Alexander McCall Smith, is leading a fight against the proposed hotel. His is one of eight signatures to a letter describing the hotel as "yet another dose of the sort of international modernism which should have no place in Edinburgh's fragile old town". Other signatures include: - Sir Timothy Clifford, Director General of National Galleries of Scotland - Douglas Ray, film maker - Alexander Stoddart, sculptor. The developers describe their scheme as "bold", and say that it "respects the architectural heritage of the area". [Edinburgh Evening News: December 8, 2008: p.8] Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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Edinburgh Councillors have recommended approval of the proposed hotel development, subject to a number of conditions being met. These include reducing the amount of glass used, lowering the height of the tower proposed from the Cowgate to contain hotel bedrooms, and not cladding the tower with timber. The planning application is due to be considered next week. [Edinburgh Evening News: January 16, 2009: p.9 Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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Plans for the proposed hotel have been unanimously approved by the City of Edinburgh Council, subject to the developers addressing the planners' concerns about the height of the tower and the material to be used for the South Bridge facade. 'La Belle Angele' nightclub is to be reinstated in the basement of the new hotel. It is expected to take two years to build the hotel. [Edinburgh Evening News: January 22, 2009: p.7 Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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Developers, Whitburn Projects have now released detailed plans for their 3 or 4 star, 165-200 bedroom hotel with two "Café-lined courtyards" for the site of the old town fire. The proposals also include: - new pends from South Bridge and Chambers Street - new steps opposite Blair Street on the Cowgate - a re-paved Hastie's Close The developers plan to submit a detailed planning application later in 2008, and say that the project could be completed within two years. [Edinburgh Evening News: August 16, 2006, p.4] Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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When I can find any more up-to-date news about this development, I'll add it here. Peter Stubbs: June 2, 2009 |
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