Despite an enduring myth to the contrary, Edinburgh became an industrial centre with its traditional industries of printing, brewing and distilling continuing to grow in the 19th century and joined by new industries such as rubber works, engineering works and others. By 1821, Edinburgh had been overtaken by Glasgow as Scotland’s largest city. The city centre between Princes Street and George Street became a major commercial and shopping district, a development partly stimulated by the arrival of railways in the 1840s. The Old Town became an increasingly dilapidated, overcrowded slum with high mortality rates. Improvements carried out under Lord Provost William Chambers in the 1860s began the transformation of the area into the predominantly Victorian Old Town seen today. More improvements followed in the early 20th century as a result of the work of Patrick Geddes, but relative economic stagnation during the two world wars and beyond saw the Old Town deteriorate further before major slum clearance in the 1960s and 1970s began to reverse the process. University building developments which transformed the George Square and Potterrow areas proved highly controversial.
Edinburgh from the castle, Scotland (1890s)
Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland (1890s)
Princess Street (i.e. Princes Street) and castle from Scott’s Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland (1890s)
Princess Street (i.e. Princes Street) and Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland (1890s)
Princess Street (i.e. Princes Street), the castle, and Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland (1890s)
Edinburgh Castle and Esplanade (1890s)
Edinburgh Castle, from Grassmarket (1890s)
