What happened in the Edinburgh vaults?
In later years, the vaults were a hotspot for the homeless and for criminal activity such as illegal gambling taverns, illegal whisky distillery and, according to rumour, bodysnatchers stored corpses there overnight.
Why did they build on top of Edinburgh?
The walls which had been built around the edge of the city to protect its residents meant there was no space for it to expand outwards. The 17th-century city authorities were worried about losing trade to Edinburgh’s New Town, so they decided to build a grand new Royal Exchange.
Why are Edinburgh buildings black?
“The Scott Monument and [National] Art Galleries, which are largely built of Binny Sandstone, are disfigured by black patches on the surface of the stone. These patches are generally said to be caused by the smoke of the city, and by the smoke of the locomotives of the railway close at hand.
Is Edinburgh built on top of another city?
A Hill of a City Like another famous city, Edinburgh is said to be situated on seven hills, but the one hill that figures into this topic is Castle Rock. This old volcanic plug towers majestically above the surrounding city with sheer sides on three of its four faces.
Where is the Scotland Street railway tunnel?
Edinburgh
Written by Nick Catford on 20 September 2006. On 13th August 1836 the Edinburgh Leith and Newhaven Railway Act received Royal Assent allowing a line to be built from Canal Street in the centre of Edinburgh to Trinity, on the Firth of Forth.
Why was the south bridge built in Edinburgh?
The construction of the South Bridge started in 1785 to connect the Old Town with the New Town in the south and to make way for the city’s first custom shopping street which is now where you see Subway near Hunter Square, just off the Royal Mile.
Where is the South Bridge Vaults in Edinburgh?
The vaults were claimed by owners of the homes above or sold off to private companies hence why you can now tour the South Bridge underground! The Edinburgh Vaults Tour meets across from Deacon Brodies Tavern on the Royal Mile, next to the box at the Bank of Scotland.
How many bridges are in the city of Edinburgh?
The original hills of this ancient fortified city are now masked by five bridges which span the resulting valleys and seamlessly integrate their undulating contours into the landscape.
Why did they build shops on top of the bridge?
Businessmen started to build shops along the top of the bridge, to make the most of passing trade. To accommodate these shop fronts, tenement houses were built along both sides of 18 of the original 19 arches, leaving only the Cowgate arch visible, as it remains today.