The Walton guesthouse is situated in Edinburgh’s New Town. Built in the mid nineteenth century the building also retains many features typical of this period, and is part of a World Heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
We at The Walton thought that you as guest might be interested to know a little bit of history behind this Edinburgh accommodation and where it is situated. So here, just for you, is a brief history of Edinburgh’s New Town.
Plans for building a new town in Edinburgh began in the 1700’s. The New Town project was designed to house the wealthy and attract back to Scotland absentee noblemen who lived in London.
At that time the majority of the population of Edinburgh were crammed and housed in what is now known as Edinburgh’s Old Town. The living conditions within the Old Town were dire, high-rise buildings with poor sanitation and no plumbing, creating a noisy, dirty and overcrowded environment.
In fact the stench of the population was said to be so bad that it could be smelt some 8miles south on the Old Dalkeith Road. It was then that Edinburgh was given its nickname of ‘Auld Reekie’, meaning 'old stinky' in Scottish colloquial terms. This not being the best environment for a modern city was one of the reasons many of the noblemen craved the luxury and higher standard of living in London town.
In 1752 proposals were published to outline Lord Drummond's plans for the new town, and in 1759 the project began.
The first course of action to be taken in 1759 was the initial draining of ‘Nor Loch’, which separated the Old Town and where the New Town was to be. Nor Loch can be seen today as Princes Street Gardens, and the location of Waverly Station.
In 1766 a competition was held for best architectural designs of the chosen plot, and a gentleman by the name of James Craig was chosen. James Craig initially envisaged a ‘patriotic’ street plan in the shape of a union jack. However this was soon scrapped and the New Town was laid out in the neat blocks visible today.
In the centre of St Andrew Square there is a statue of Henry Dundas, whom the street of our centrally located Edinburgh accommodation is named after. Henry Dundas was an important figure in late 18th century Scottish Politics. Dundas even earned himself the nickname ‘Henry the ninth, uncrowned king of Scotland’.
Dundas lasting achievement was to convince Scotland’s nobility into a new form of Patriotism founded on improving schemes, Scots sentiments and a firm commitment to the British Empire.
George Street was named after Hanoverian King George III. Although some believe that it was named after George IV. This is a common misconception as it was a visit by George IV in 1822, which prompted a commemorative statue, which can be seen at the junction of George Street and Hanover Street.
Named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III.
Princes Street isn’t considered to be part of Edinburgh’s New Town. Princes Street more divides old and the New Town, running along side what used to be Nor Loch. Princes Street was originally to be named Gile Street after the patron saint of Edinburgh, but was renamed Princes street after the son of King George III .