Part 1: [A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|XYZ]
Part 2: [A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|XYZ]
| ABBEYHILL | "A suburban village", Walks, 16. Abbeyhill house and grounds for sale 29/7/1776 eec.j.s. Occupied by Hon. Mrs. Norton, D. 1827. (See also Abbeyhill Crescent-Part II). |
| ABBEY MOUNT STRAND STREET LANE |
All derived from the neighbouring Abbey of Holyrood. |
| ABBOTSFORD PARK CRESCENT |
Both Abbotsford Place, Littlejohn. -From the same enthusiasm as named Marmion Terr. and Banner Pl. q.v. After D. 1855/6. Marmion Ter. and Banner Place now part of Morningside Road |
| ABERCORN AVENUE CRESCENT GARDENS TERRACE ROAD |
From the Marquis of Abercorn, superior of the ground. The lands of Duddingston were acquired by the Marquis of Abercorn from the Argyle family in 1745. Baird 83. |
| ABERCROMBY PLACE | Abercrombie D. 1809. From Sir Ralph Abercrombie who fell at Aboukir Bay, 1801. o.e.c. IX. 97. Correspondence anent shape etc., no name mentioned. m.t.c. 14/3/1804. Both forms are given m.t.c. 17/6/1807 and allusion made from the original plan under which feus were granted in 1803. See Ainslie, 1804. "South Crescent" m.t.c. 16/10/1808. |
| ABINGER GARDENS | So named on plan when the Murrayfield Real Estate Co. Ltd. acquired the property from the late Mr. Lockhart Thomson. |
| ADAM STREET EAST WEST |
From the architect Robert Adam, who designed much in the New Town. He was the King's architect. Born 1728, died 1792. Buried in Westminster Abbey. In Ainslie's map 1804 the street is named Edinburgh St. In Arnot's map 1816, and Kirkwood's 1817, it is Eldin St. In Knox's map 1822, Adam St. |
| ADMIRAL TERRACE | Built on the grounds of the house long occupied by Admiral Peat, D.M. 1883. Captain Peat, R.N. Viewforth House D. 1846/ 7- 1855/6. Admiral Peat of Seggie, lived for long in Viewforth House, which was removed when Boroughmuir Secondary School was erected in its grounds. He died 1879, aged 86. Buried New Calton. Married Miss Pratt of Seggle. "Silences that speak ". |
| ADMIRALTY STREET | Natural in a sea port. Named after 1812, just when first docks were . constructed, towards with it ran. This the source of the name, j.r. |
| THE ADVOCATE'S CLOSE | From the house of Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees, Lord Advocate of Scotland, 1692-1709 and 1711-13. Reek. Index: Sir James Stewart of Gutters, Queens Advocate. Prot. A. W. 2, 25/3/1704. It stood on the west side of the close, at the foot thereof, and was occupied later by Andrew Crosbie, the accepted original of Counsellor Pleydell in 'Guy Mannering'. 'Men of the Covenant' 144. Sir James returned from exile on the landing of the Prince of Orange, 1688; he was hated by the Jacobites, who attacked him in lampoons, and nicknamed him James Wylie. He inherited the house from his father, Sir James Stewart of Coltness, Provost of Edinburgh 1648-49, at the time of Cromwell's first visit to the city, and again 1658-59. It was rebuilt by the Lord Advocate soon after the Revolution. In 1769 his grandson, another Sir James, sold the house to David Dalrymple, Lord Westhall. The Rev. Hugh McKail, so miserably caricatured as Ephraim Macbriar in 'Old Mortality was at one time tutor in the family of Provost Sir James Stewart, and was almost caught by the hunters in the house at Goodtrees, now Moredun, but escaped for the time to Holland; 'Men of Covenant', 144. Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. The close was also known as Stewart's Close, Prot. W. F. 7, 25/4/1748. Sir James Stewart's Close, Prot. W.F. 7, 27/,5/1755, and Provost Stewart's Close, Prot.A. W. 3, 21/3/1711 , from the Lord Advocate his father. Its original name was Cant's Close, Prot. A. W. 3, 21/3/1711, from property of Henry Cant of Over Libbertoun, Prot. G.H. 12, 26/7/1737. It was one of the bewildering closes of this name. The Advocate's Close was formerly Home's Close, Reg. 17/11/1760. A tenement in Home's close, owned in succession by Adam Rae of Piteddie: Sir Wm. Dick of Brade: his creditors: Mr. John Mitchelson of Midleton: John Spotswood of that Ilk: Sir Jas. Stewart senior: Mr. Henry Barclay, looked into Home's Close on the east and Byres' Close on the west. Henry Home of Kaims, Senator of the College of Justice, possessed a house in the Advocate's Close. He died 1782, aged 87, living latterly in New Street, Canongate, Kay, i. 14, 323; P. W. 1773, 1780. |
| AGNEW TERRACE | Shown as Ferry Road, D. 1905. Possibly from Lt. Col. G. Agnew, resident in Last Warriston House. |
| AINSLIE PLACE | Built on the estate of the Earl of Moray, feued 1822-3. Named from maiden name of Lord Moray's second wife. (He was Francis 10th Earl born 1771, died 1848, married 1801. Margaret Jane, 2nd daughter of Sir Philip Ainslie of Pilton. She died 1837. Edmund Archibald, 15th Earl lived in No. 7 Ainslie Place). |
| AIRLIE PLACE | David, 6th Earl of A. representative peer 1833/49, as also the 7th Earl, 1850/1881. |
| AITCHISON'S PLACE | From Mr. Aitchison, who owned it. He was a confectioner in Edinburgh, and was locally known as "Sweetie Mill", w.b. |
| ALBANY STREET LANE |
So called because the neighbouring York Place preserved the title of the King's second son in England (Duke of York). In Scotland the King's second son is Duke of Albany. It was first called Abany Row, m.t.c. 13/2/1709. 9/4/1800. 11/6/1800,Abany St. m.t.c. 7/5/1800 Denovan 1804, and Stark 1806, Albion Row. Directory 1807Albany Row, also Arnot 1816. Kirkwood 1817 Albany St., Albany St. 5/91801, eec.j.s. To be called Albion 17/10/1801eec.j.s. There may have been some confusion. Ainslie 1804 the eastern part is Albany St., the Western Albion Row. To act anent height of houses, n.s. Albailv St. rescinded, owing to failure of feuars to carry out scheme, m.t.c. 1/1/1802. |
| ALBERT DOCKS ROAD ALBERT PLACE STREET |
Dock opened 1869. All from Albert, Prince Consort, husband of Queen Victoria. Married 1840. Born 1819. Died 1861. |
| ALBERT TERRACE | D.M. 1870, formerly Dow Lane. Derivation as above. |
| ALBION PLACE ROAD TERRACE |
Shown as Easter Road, D.M. 1899. Fanciful-compliment to Scotland. |
| ALBYN PLACE | Lothian Map 1825, Stark 1825. Probably in connection with the Highland Society of Scotland, whose Hall was in No. 6 , D. 1827. On Lord Alva's land, Charles Erskine, m.t.c. 3/1/1827. There is a building plan & evaluation (not carried out) of David Scott in Register House. Hist. Dept. 1818. Albyn PI., the central part of which is appropriated to the use of the Highland Society" Walks in Edr. 200. Albany, Albion or Albinn-the ancient Gaelic name of Scotland. |
| ALDERBANK GARDENS PLACE TERRACE |
1885-1900. Fanciful, after the tree, e.c.b.c.ltd. |
| ALFRED PLACE | 1865-66 Albert Place-probably changed in 1867 to avoid confusion. Perhaps from Duke of Edinburgh. Prot. W.F. 9,22/6/1759. Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. Also known as Wardlaw's |
| ALISON'S CLOSE WYND | Close, Prot. G.I. 3, 5/11/1766. An Alison's Close, probably this, is mentioned in 1708, Prot. G.H. 3, 6/12/1708. It is named from the property on the north side of the Cowgate, opposite the Magdalen Chapel, acquired by Mr. Alexr. Alison, deputy receiver of Escise of Scotland. A house there was owned by Margaret Alison, who received it from James Alison, merchant, burgess. She married Andrew Cheyne, or Chene, or Skeyn, and had a son Robert, minister, Prot. A. W. 5, 6/4/1714; W. F. 9, 22/61759. The alias is clearly given. The older name, Wardlaw's Close, was derived from James Wardlaw, to whom the Temple lands on the south side of the Castlehill, east side of the West Bow, were disponed by Wm. Rankeillour, and who was succeeded therein by his son John, Prot. W.F. 5, 3/6/1751; J. W. 3, 15/7/1756. James Wardlaw owned a tenement bounded on the west by Wardlaw's Close, near the Upper Bow, Prot. G.H. 11, 1/2/1737. The lands of the late James Wardlaw lay on the east of those of the late Ninian M'Morran, Prot. G.H. 3, 19/11/1706. The close opened to the south side of the Lawnmarket, Reg. 28/6/1767; Prot. G.I. 2, 24/5/1734. James Riddell owned a tenement in it. This suggests its entering through Riddell's Court, and giving the name to the entry. See Kerr; also 'Riddell's Court'. |
| ALLAN STREET | From the same proprietor as Allan St., Leith. For sale 20/11/1824, eec.j.s. From local proprietor, Mr. Allan of Allanfield. Kirkwood 1817, D. 1827. Stranger's Guide, 265. For sale apply to Thomas Allan of Allanfield,20/11/1824 eec.j.s. Thomas Allan cooperage and cellars 12 Timberbush, house 9 Wellington Place D.1827, 209. Allan St., Leith renamed Dudley Ave. South 4/5/66. |
| ALLAN'S CLOSE | Also known as Leith's, Leithe's, or Leitch's Close, Dunlop's Close, Duell's, Doul's, or Dowel's, or Dougal's or Douglas' Close, Abernethy's Close. No derivation has appeared for Allan's Close. Leitch's Close (the variants are many) now Allan's Close, Prot. W. F. 2, 30/7/1747, owes its name to David Leche, Prot. 20/3/1528. His son Archibald, Prot. 17/7/1534, had lands there, Prot. W.F. 1, 14/1/1747. and a cross-house, Prot. A. W. 5, 6/5/1715. The name Duell's Close appears in several forms as above. It is derived from the tenement of Simon Dowell in the close, Prot. W.F. 1, 14/1/1747. The form Dougal's is due to the tenement of John Dougal and (later) of his brother James, Prot. A. W. 6, 29/6/1719, apparently descendants of Simon's. Douglas Close, Prot. W. F. 5, 8/3/1753, seems to be but a variant. Maitland, M. 216, gives Dugal's Close, but Allan's Close also. It was also named Dunlop's Close, alias Leitche's Close, from the property therein of Mr. John Dunlop, Prot. J. W.2, 29/7/1749. Another name, whose derivation is unknown, was Abernethy's Close, Abernethy's or Allan's Close:Prot. W.F.4, 31/10/1750. Note:-The endeavour to identify Leich's Close with Hope's Court, north side, Netherbow, made in Soc. Ant. S., 9th February 1891, is wholly unsuccessful; several closes are, as one may say, transported. |
| ALMOND BANK TERRACE | Fanciful, after the almond tree. e.c.b.c. ld. |
| ALVA PLACE | Property near belonging to Johnston of Alva. |
| ALVA STREET | On the propertv of James Erskine, Lord Alva. Ainslie 1804. Kirkwood l8l7. "James Erskine of Alva, Drumsheugh",p.w.1780/81. D.1827. Lord Alva's property acquired l820. m.t.c.,3/6/1834. |
| ALVANLEY TERRACE | From the sister of Lord Alvanley, wife to Capt. John Warrender of Bruntsfield. o. & n. e. iii, 4b. See Arden St. Sir John Warrender 5th Bart. married Frances Henrietta, daughter of Richard Pepper, lst Lord Alvanley. |
| ANCHOR CLOSE | Also known as Fowlar's or Fuller's Close, Fisher's Close, Fordyce Close. Named from the 'Anchor Tavern in Fuller's Close' kept by George Cumming, Prot. G.H. 10, 17/10/1734, where the Lord High Commissioner was long in the habit of holding his levees, o.e.c. iv. 36, and where the Crochallan Club met, and entertained Burns, Wilson,ii.25. Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. The older name, Fowler's or Foular's Close, is mentioned in 1521, o. & n.e.ii, 241, and is attributed to its containing the house of Wm. Fowler, merchant, burgess, supposed author of "The Triumph of Death", o. & n.e. i. 236. The house of Wm. Fowler, merchant, burgess, at the head of former Fowler's, now Anchor Close, was inherited by his son John, and acquired later by Sir Alexr. Ogilvie of Forglen, from whom it took the name of Forglens, Prot. W.P.5, 28/11/1751, or Forgulan's Prot. W.F.2, 24/2/1749 Land. It is called, misleadingly, Foulls Close, Prot. W.F.9, 7/9/1759, but must not be confounded with (north) Foulis Close, which Edgar names Fowler's Close. It is once Reg. 14/1/1859 named Fisher's alias Fowler's, now Anchor Close-derivation unknown. A close, Fordyce Close, may be the same as Anchor Close, but it has no clear alias. It was on the north side of the High Street, and derived its name from the property of James Fordyce, 'fecialls scriba' in Foullis Close, Reg. 11/12/1740. John Fowler owned property in Fordyce Close, Reg. 20/9/1856; Prot. J. W.3, 29/12/1752. Wm. Fowler owned property in Fordyce Close, which was inherited by his son and heir John,Prot. G.H.4, 28/12/1711 . The various bounding lands tend to the identification. The close seems to have enjoyed other names also, Brown's and Dickson's being on the north side of the High Street, containing the tenement of Agnes, Sibella, and Elizabeth Dickson, Prot. J. W.8, 7/5/1767; A. W. 7, 26/11/1723. The lands of the late Wm. Fowler were on the east and west: that of Thomas Brown, merchant, on the North, whence Brown's Close: it contained the lands of Thomas Dickson,Prot. A. W. 7, 26/11/1723. The lands of the late John Dickson were in Dickson's Close, north side of the High Street, Reg. 10/2/1864 The tenement of Thomas Dickson was in or close to Fowler's, now Anchor Close,Prot. W.F.11, 26/8/1762. Thomas Dickson's land was on the east side of Fordyce Close, mentioned above, Prot. J. W. 3, 29/12/1752. Brown's, now Dickson's Close, Prot. J. W. 8, 7/5/1767; A. W. 7, 26/11/1723. |
| ANCHORFIELD | Old name. Kirkwood 1817, D. 1827. Anchor has a natural connection with a sea port. Ankerfield, m.t.c. 9/2/1814. |
| ANDERSON PLACE | From name of builder Thomas Anderson, of 100 Great junction St. About 1875 or 1880,j.r. |
| ANDERSON'S CLOSE | D. 1827. O.S. Kerr. Also known as Stinking Close, Kirkwood, Ainslie. Haunted Close, Wilson, ii. 161, 165. 62 West Bow, D. 1827. From John Anderson, deacon of the Hammermen, who built Deacon Anderson's land in the West Bow, t.b. 77, in 1678, receiving permission from the Town Council to make an entry thereto in the east end of the putt buttress of the pend of the West Bow (clearly the archway) between the north cheik of the putt and the turnpyke or entry to John Moubray, or Moutray, his house, m.t.c. 8/5/1678. The position is clearly shown by Gordon. Various Andersons appear in the early directories: William, ironmonger, West Bow, P. W. 1773; John, gunsmith, bowhead well, P.W. 1773: Henry, shoemaker, Bowhead, P.W. 1773: William, stabler, Cowgatehead, P. W. 1780; John, coppersmith, west bow, P. W. 1780. This last is probably the John Anderson who acquired property from Gabriel Ranken of Orchyeardhead, previously owned by John Mcmorran and his heir Ninian, portioner of Kingsbarns, Prot. J. W. 5, 24/5/1760; J.W. 7, 5/12/1/764. Deacon Anderson's land was built on ruins on 'the first were there other unsavoury closes, or is this equivalent to 'first, or Stinking Close' stinking close, south side of West Bow' beyond the Overbow, by the late John Anderson, Prot. W.F. 1, 26/12/1744; G.L.1, 29/8/1763. The Free Church of Scotland acquired, in 1863, property where on to build a church, on the north side of the Cowgate, bounded on the west by Anderson's Close, on the east by Pollock's Close, and on the north by the lands of the heirs of John Anderson, coppersmith. Its alias, the Stinking Close, p.w. 1779; Ainslie,, Kirkwood, needs no explanation. Wilson Wilson , ii. 161, I65 gives it the name of the Haunted Close, from an apparition seen there shortly before Major Weir's confession and execution. Weir's Close was No. 24 West Bow D. 1825. |
| ANGLE PARK TERRACE | From the sharp angle at the corner between the Lanark and Midcalder Roads. At Angle Park Ter./Ardmillan Ter. |
| ANN STREET | From Ann, widow of Count Leslie, and wife of Sir Henry Raeburn, who occupied Deanhaugh House. Kirkwood shews Ann, Charlotte and Elizabeth Streets, Lothian map 1825, Ann, Danube and Carlton, as if suggesting two British and one English queens. Built 1825 o.& n.e. iii 73. |
| ANNANDALE STREET | 1826. On ground belonging to the widow of Dr. John Hope, professor of Botany see Kays portraits, The Botanic Gardens "Physic garden" there in 1804 Ainslie. She was descended from a branch of the Hopetoun family. In 1792 the 3rd Earl of Hopetoun succeeded to the Annandale Estates through his wife, the heiress. |
| ANNFIELD | Lady Ann Steuart widow of John Steuart of Blairhaw, thereafter of Annfield Prot. 1/8/1763 G.I. 1. See also Annfield St. -Part II. |
| APPIN TERRACE | Built by Bailie Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Moncur, Engineers, who was a native of Appin. |
| ARBORETUM AVENUE ROAD |
From the neighbouring Arboretum-the part of the Botanic Gardens devoted to trees. |
| ARCADE NORTH BRIDGE | Site of Milne's Sq From someone's belief that an arcade is covered in hall or passage, with booths or stalls on each side. Other arcades existed in Leith Walk (afterwards Croall's Coach Office) and in Princes Street. |
| ARCHIBALD PLACE | From nursery garden of Mr. Archibald Ainslie 1804. The place appears in Lothian map 1825 o.&n.e. 81. Lately Archibald's Nursery, apply to George Archibald, seedsman, 66 Nicolson St. 2/2/1824 eec.j.s. House at Archibald Place; shop 176 High St.; nursery, Grange Farm D. 1827. Joseph Archibald, seedsman, v.r. 4 7. m. t. c. 22/121790 & 7/9/1814. Perhaps connected with Wm. Archibald, tanner in Wester Portsburgh, and his son James, owners in Pocketslieve, p.w. 1780/81. m.t.c. 2/9/1789. |
| ARDEN STREET | From family name of the Earl of Haddington, 11 th Earl, married 1854 Helen, daughter of Sir John Warrender by Frances, daughter of Lord Chief Justice Alvanlev, Who's Who 1915, Sir George Ballie Hamilton, Arden, 11th Earl of Haddington. |
| ARDMILLAN PLACE TERRACE |
After Lord Ardmillan, judge of session. |
| ARGYLE CRESCENT PLACE |
In 1730 the Lands of Duddingston, belonged to the Argyle family: in 1745 they were sold to the Marquis of Abercorn. |
| ARGYLE PARK TERRACE PLACE |
On property owned by Mr. Campbell Ainslie 1804, Kirkwood 1817. Site of Argyle Park house and grounds D.1827, 177 owned by Duncan Stevenson, publisher of the notorious "Beacon". In 1800 it was occupied by Gabriel Campbell, spirit dealer, No. I West from Meadow Cage D. 1800, 109, Argyle Park and Place, meadows D. 1800. Dwelling house etc. south side of Hope Park Meadows on road from Sheens (Sciennes) to Bruntsfield. by enclosure of David Campbell, tailor, thereafter of Mr. John Hope, and Misses Warrender, Reg. 23/5/1857. Acquired by David Campbell from John Parkhill of Craiglockhart, merchant, Reg. 8/7/1857. A foot entry to the Meadows or Hope Park was granted to certain persons dwelling south thereof. David Campbell. H.N4. master tailor for North Britain, m.t.c. 18/2/1736. |
| ARTHUR STREET | Ainslie 1804, 23/3/1822, eec.j.s. Probably as having a view of Arthur's Seat, 17/2/1819, jr. |
| ASHLEY TERRACE | Fancy-from the ash tree, e.c.b.c. Id. See also Ashley Drive etc. -Part II |
| ASHVILLE TERRACE | From the ash tree, fancy, e.c.b.c.1d. |
| ASSEMBLY STREET | Where the Assembly Rooms were and are, j.r. Built 1789, j.r. |
| AUCHENLECK'S BRAE | Newhaven. From local proprietor. Kirkwood 1817. See also Auchenleck Court-Part II. |
| AVONDALE PLACE | Fancy, e.c.b.c.ld. |