The Display Photographic Group

16/03/2025

Now available on the website.
See www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

Princes Street, West End
This is taken from the west end of Princes Street looking East probably from Rutland Street. On the right side of Princes Street you can see St Johns Church, Scott’s Monument towering high and The North British Station Hotel (now The Balmoral). In the distance to the left of the hotel clocktower is the Nelson Monument that stands on Calton Hill together with many of Edinburgh’s famous monuments.
Princes Street itself is a very busy thoroughfare, and the shops appear to be attracting a lot of business. No motor vehicles can be seen just horse and carriages for the gentry and trams for the middle classes.
We like the group of seven people with advertising boards beginning to set off down Princes Street most of which appear to be advertising the same product or shop. This was indeed early marketing. We also like the road sweep near the bottom of the photograph perhaps sweeping the tram lines.

01/03/2025

Now available on the website.

See www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

Abbotsford - Home of Sir Walter Scott

Abbotsford is a historic country house in the Scottish Borders, on the south bank of the River Tweed. It was built as the residence of historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott between 1817 and 1825. It lies approximately forty miles South-East of Edinburgh. Its architecture and interior design made it an iconic building of the 19th century Scottish Baronial style. The manor as a whole appears as a 'castle-in-miniature', with small towers and imitation battlements decorating the house and garden walls. Scott collected many curiosities and relics from historical structures and these were built into the walls of the South Garden, which previously hosted a colonnade of gothic arches along the garden walls. Among the gardens sits the remains of Edinburgh's 15th century Mercat Cross, the Old Tollbooth of Edinburgh, and several examples of classical sculpture. Scott had a phenomenally successful literary career and since his death in 1833 his home has been visited by millions of people from around the world. The last of his direct descendants to hold the Lairdship of Abbotsford was his great-great-great-granddaughter Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott. She inherited it from her elder sister Patricia Maxwell-Scott in 1998. The sisters turned the house into one of Scotland's premier tourist attractions. As well as Scott's home, the name Abbotsford is now recognised around the world in Buildings, Streets and Towns in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the USA. His former home is known around the world as a literary pilgrimage site and a historic monument to one of Scotland’s greatest sons.

This photograph from around 1900 shows the home in a clear appealing light. We would have loved a horse and carriage to be present on what appears to be a gravel driveway. The point from where the photograph is taken is now a raised hill with large trees. We wonder if the photographer was sitting in a tree. In the distance behind the home is a large property (unknown) that appears to be under construction. to the left of that building you can just see the building that is now Kingsknowes Hotel.

05/02/2025

Newhaven, Main Street

See www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

This is Newhaven, Main Street looking east towards Annfield. Newhaven in 1900 was a fishing village (although once known also for ship building). It lies on the River Forth just two miles from Edinburgh. The houses on the left looked ancient in 1900 but when they were replaced the new homes retained the feature of steps up to the front door. At the end of the row of houses you can see the sign for the Peacock Public House with its hotel behind. Past that is the original building for Newhaven Victoria School. It was enlarged later, and although the building remains the school has now moved to new premises.

This is one of our best photographs that shows social history as well as architecture. You will see there are a lot of people in this image. From the men in bowler hats to the bare-footed children playing in the street. There are young boys walking away from the camera (one holding a basket) and a lady peering over her fence at the top of one of the sets of stairs. One tall gentleman looking very smart is striding towards the camera.

26/01/2025

Edinburgh Castle with Cannons Facing North

This view is looking from Edinburgh Castle, over its ramparts towards The Firth of Forth in the distance. Beneath the castle is Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street and the rest of the Georgian cityscape.The tall dark dome that you see is St George’s Church in Charlotte Square. This building is now West Register House and its gorgeous green dome is a beautiful sight. The building recently underwent a restoration project that was completed in 2021.

The ornate façade of Fettes College can be seen in the top right of the photograph The school was established in 1870, so would have been relatively new at the time of the photograph.

The One-o'Clock gun.

Ships in the Firth of Forth once set their maritime clocks by the One o’Clock Gun. The firing of the gun dates back to 1861, when businessman John Hewat brought the idea to Edinburgh from Paris. The gun is still fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Crowds gather to enjoy the spectacle – and the sound often surprises people on Princes Street below. The original gun was a 64-pounder. Since 2001, a 105mm field gun has instead been fired from the Mills Mount Battery.

See www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

16/01/2025

Here is a second image from the new website.

A new website selling early photographs of Edinburgh is up and running. Hope this is of interest. Three images up already with more to come soon.

www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

15/01/2025

A new website selling early photographs of Edinburgh is up and running. Hope this is of interest. Three images up already with more to come soon.
Here is the first I saw. The Royal Mile about 1895.

www.edinburgh-photographic-history.co.uk

01/08/2023

The Kite festival is nearly upon us.
Possibly the last one on the Heath

Here are some photos from last year.
If you recognise yourself I can forward a higher quality jpg to your email address. No charge.

19/07/2023

Just received 3 more samples to help advertise our website.
These are 24 x 16 inch Acrylic prints and look fantastic.
There are some reflections on them, so sorry about that.

Check out the website please

https://www.the-display-photographic-group.com/

15/07/2023

Local Business
First poster on ETSY

YAWNING TIGER

This Digital Prints item is sold by LyricalTeesDesign. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on 15 Jul, 2023

29/01/2023

An iconic little house in Royston. Very difficult to photograph, but Lightroom comes to the rescue as always, with the Photo-Merge Panorama option.

14/12/2022

Snowy Walk December 2022