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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]

BACK STAIRS	Ainslie. Kirkwood. Shown as Parliament Stairs, Reek. 298. Leading up from the Cowgate to the Back of the Parliament Close. The part known as Henderson's Stairs was demolished in 1828, o.& n.e.i.179,181. These were the New Stairs at the west end of the Meal Market, opposite Henderson's land on the north, Prot. G.L.,3, 2/7/1766; Reg. 27/6/1741. John Henderson, wright, had a lodging at Henderson's Stairs, Reg. 2/10/1863, which were bounded on the west by Forrest's (sic) Wynd, Reg. 23/10/1863. They did not exist in Gordon's days, but are shown by Edgar and named by Ainslie. These stairs must not be confounded with the President's Stairs, p.w. 1780, p.16; D.1799, which were scale stairs at the east end of the Parliament Close and took their name from Sir Hugh Dalrymple (son of the first Earl of Stair), President of the Court of Session, Fires, Prot j.w. 3, 3/3/ 753. They were the stairs leading down through, or under, the 'Babel' on the south side of the Parliament Close to the Old Post Office Close below. q.v.
BAILEYFIELD ROAD	From the house built for himself by Wm. Bailey, first Provost of Portobello, 1833, flint glass and bottle manufacturer, Baird 366/7.
BAILIE FYFE'S CLOSE	Also known as Barrie's Close, Trotter's Close. Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. There are two closes leading into one court, the westermost of which has borne this name certainly since Edgar's map of 1742. It owes its name to the property on the east side of Morrison's Close, owned by Gilbert Fyfe, merchant, bailie, Prot. W.F.3, 14/2/1750. Gilbert Fyfe, 4th bailie 1677, 2nd bailie 1680, and Ist bailie 1686. There seems to have been some family dispute over the property, for we find mention of action by the executors of the late Patrick, only son of the late David Fyfe, surgeon-apothecary, against Gilbert, merchant, son of the late Gilbert Fyfe, merchant and ballie,Reg.21/7/1744. It was also known as Barry's Close, now Ballie Fyfe's Close, Prot.J.W. , 8/8/1767; G.I. 1, 9/7/1763, but no derivation given. Another name was Trotter's Close, Prot. A. W.6, 21/3/1720, from the tenement on the east side of Morrison's Close owned by the family of Trotter of Mortonhall, Prot. A.W.2, 1/3/1706; G.H.7, 20/12/1726. Reg. 21/7/1744. There was also a Cockburn's Close near Trotter's Close, Prot .A. W. 2, 1/3/1706; A.W.6, 21/3/1720, possibly going north, but the exact position and origin of its name have not been traced.
BAIRD AVENUE	From the Bairds of Saughtonhall. See also Baird Drive etc-Part II.
BAKEHOUSE CLOSE	(O.S.) Shown as Huntly Close or Cordiners' Close, J. Bruce Home. Kirkwood gives Hammermen's or Bakehouse Close. Ainslie gives Hammermen's Close. The name comes from the bakehouse and property on the west side of the close owned by the Incorporation of Bakers of the Canongate; Can. Chart. 12/9/1832. Its older name, Hammermen's Close, was taken from the lands of Wm. Wilson, writer, on the west of the lands of Sir Patrick Aitchison of Glentourne, or Glencairne, son of Sir Archibald Aitchison, builder of the Aitchison house in this close, now of the Hammermen of the Canongate, Can. Chart. 13/12/1758. The lands of the Hammermen were on the east of those of the Sugar House, Can. Chart. 3/6/1767 Bruce Home 'Back of Bakehouse Close' states that the House of Huntly held feudal possession of the entire soil of this close on its western side-'. . . we cannot tell why the close has ceased to bear the name of Huntly, nor when it became successively known as Cordiners' and then as Bakehouse Close'. But neither Huntly nor Cordiners' Close is found elsewhere.
BALFOUR PLACE STREET	After the Balfours of Pilrig, on whose lands they are built.
BALGREEN ROAD	From old house and property, m. t. c. 19/6/1811. See also Balgreen Avenue etc-Part II.
BALMORAL PLACE	After Queen Victoria's Highland seat, e.c.b.c.ld.
BALTIC STREET	Leith has always had much trade with the Baltic ports, D. 1800, 71, m.t.c. 10/8/1825.
BANGHOLM TERRACE	From "Bangholm Bower, near Trinity", B.1827, or Farm of Bangholm to be sublet eec.j.s. 1789, Ainslie 1804, m.t.c. 19/1/1814. See also Bangholm Avenue etc-Part II.
BANGOR ROAD	Messrs. Field & Allan, slate, tile etc. merchants, had great dealings in Welsh states, j.r. Bangor-a town in N.W. Wales.
BANK LANE	Off Clyde St. From the neighbouring Royal Bank of Scotland, St. Andrew Sq. Small section on south side of Bus Station remains.
BANK STREET NORTH	From the adjacent Bank of Scotland. Shown un-named Ainslie,1780. Named Ainslie 1804. Bank opened 1806. Rebuilt 1868. Named m.t.c. 8/10/1800. The street leading to the Mound, called Bank St. m.t.c. 25/3/1801.
BARCLAY PLACE TERRACE	From the Barclay United Free Church, built by the Misses Barclay, 1862/3.
BARONSCOURT ROAD TERRACE	Baronscourt is the Irish residence of the Duke of Abercorn on whose ground the road and terrace are built.
BARONY PLACE STREET	From the barony of Broughton, Wilson II, 208/9.
BATH PLACE STREET	A fancy name taken from the celebrated English watering place.Compare Mentone Avenue and Brighton Place, Baird.
BATH ROAD	From the bathing facilities: bathing coaches first used there in Scotland, 1766, e.s.s. 250
BATHFIELD ROAD	Bathfieldhouse,Ainslie 18O4. D.1827.
BAXTER'S PLACE	Built by Baxter, architect, e.e.c. Apr. 1801, j.s. Feued by him from the Town before 1799, eec.j.s., (he then died). Baxter's Buildings, head of Leith Walk, D. 1800, 166. Feu applied for by John Baxter, architect 28/6/1780. Feuar 6/9/1780, r.o.s Granted 5/7/1780, m.t.c. 16/11/1803. "Baxter's Buildings". "Baxter's feu". "Now called Greenside Place", m.t.c. 23/10/1822.
BEAUMONT PLACE	D. 1827. Shown as Bomond. Kirkwood, Storer, 1820. Two tenements built 1812 and 1813, 15/12/1812, 19/6/1819, eec.j.s. Apparently built bv Alex. Thomson. Bomond-New pict. Edin. 1820, not shown in do. 1818. John, 5th Earl of Roxburgh created Duke of Marquis of Beaumont & Cessford 1707 Beaumont Cottage at P.B.I.D. 1855-56.
BEAVERBANK PLACE	w.o.l. 172. Probably suggested by Beaverhall. In 1683 Captain. Hamilton, merchant in Edinburgh, in a petition to the Privy Council asking for privileges of a manufactary, i.e. the importing of the raw material and the exporting of the finished goods free of custom, states considerable trade with the Plantations in America in Scottish goods, and brings home in return beaver and racoon skins, which serve for making beaver, half-beaver and castor hats, none of which either have been or can be made by any of the natives of the Kingdom. He is bringing from abroad the persons best skilled in the art and craft of making these hats and craves as the first undertaker in the business to have a monopoly for a period of years and to have the other benefits accorded to manufacturers, j.r.
BEAVERHALL ROAD	From the old house, Ainslie 1804. Built on the lands of Powderhall, for sale. Beside the house is a large building formerly used as a hat manufactury, 10/4/1782, eec.j.s. j.r.s.l. 369.
BEECHWOOD TERRACE	Off Lochend Road. Fancy, from the beech tree, e.c.b.c.ld.
BELFORD PARK PLACE ROAD TERRACE	There must have been a ford, giving access to Bell's Mills, see Kirkwood, also anon. map No. 6, where Belford Bridge now spansthe water of Leith. Old Belford Bridge is shown in Hamilton's map of 1827. See also Belford Avenue, Gardens-Part II
BELFRAGE LANE	Ord. Surv,. 1852. Charter to Andrew Belfrage, farmer at Kingsknows of large back tenement, erected on part of lands of High Riggs, commonly called Circhen's Gardens, with close thereto adjoining, m.t.c. 30/8/1826. Subjects at Cowfeeder Row, m.t.c. 28/3/1827.
BELLPLACE	Off Glenogle Road. After one of the directors of the e.c.b.c.ld.
BELL'S BRAE	Old way to Dean. Leads from south of Dean Bridge to Bell's Mills, named from Walter Bell, miller, tenant there, circa 1600. '',An old meal mill'' Anon. Map. circa 1730. Lothian map 1825. o. & n.e. iii, 63. So named 1621o.c.c. I. 97, being corn and waulk mills. Bell's Milns steps. m.t.c. 21/9/1785. Bell's brae, near Water of Leith Bridge, e.a. .3/l/I 764 Bell's Mill alias Dean's Mill, o.e.c.I. 126. Bell's Mill, Prot. G.H.4, 21/6/1714. John Bell, in Water of Leith, elected to serve in the malt mylne and two Wester mylnes, m.t.c. 11/4/1628.
BELL'S WYND	Vicus Belli. Gordon. Edgar. Ainslie Kirkwood. Kerr. 'I'his wynd seems to have no alias. It is mentioned in John Fowler's protocols at the beginning of the sixteenth centurv, and tookits name from John Bell, brewer at the foot of the wynd, connected with Bell's Brewery in the Pleasance, New Lights, 169. He is mentioned as being in the wynd in 1529, Prot. 13/4/1529, as owning a tenement at the head thereof Prot. A. IV.5, 14/6/1714 and as being succeeded in possession by the Bishop of Dunkeld, Prot. G.H.5, 1,3/5/1715, and in a general way in early charters,C. C. 1550a, 24/2/1551-2; L. C. 798, 3/5/1566; 978, 18/2/1579.
BELLEVUE CRESCENT PLACE ROAD STREET TERRACE	From the house and grounds of Genl. Scott of Balcomie, Crail. Bellevue House was built on the site of Drummond Lodge: was purchased by Provost George Drummond 1757. It became later customs and excise office, and was demolished in 1846 when the Scotland St. railway tunnel was made. Ainslie 1804. Lothian Map 1825. The property of Bellevue belonged to the Marquis of Titchfield from whom the town bought it, m.t.c. 30/4/1800,"from south wall of Bellevue to Albany Row". Feuing plans submitted m.t.c. 11/2/1800. House sold for custom house to Government 9/6/1802, m.t.c. Henrietta, daughter of Genl. John Scott of Balcomie, and his heiress, married Wm. Henry Cavendish Bentinck, Marquis of Titchfield, son of the Duke of Portland, who took the name of Scott. The Lands of Bellevue, bought by Genl. Scott from Dr. Archibald Drummond, son to the famous Lord Provost, were feued to the town by his daughter for £1,050 annual feu duty. m.t.c. specially 7/9/1808. Genl. John Scott's wife Margaret gave her name to Margaret Scott's Dyke, east side of the property, m. t. c. 7/9/1808.- See also Bellevue Gardens, Grove-Part II.
BERESFORD AVENUE GARDENS	From Sir Charles Beresford, R.N. Admiral. A popular and breezy figure early 20th century.
BERNARD STREET	In error St. Bernard's St., Kirkwood. Also D. 1800, 66. From Bernard Lindsay, of Lochill Arnot 572 who kept a tavern there about the end of the I6th and beginning of the 17th centuries. He rebuilt the King's Wark, 1613, t.t.l. 37. Bernard Nook is shown in Ord. Surv. 1852. Old name Weigh-house Wynd. "Street now called Bernard's Nook", Arnot 571. On 26 June 1617 Bernard Lyndsay "cubicularius regius". Royal chamber child or femme de nombre, with many noblemen, clergy, etc., was made honorary burgess and guildbrother on the occasion of the banquet given to James VI when he paid his first and last visit to Scotland, Burgh register, New pict. Edin. 1820- 191. Bernard's Nuke, m.l.c. 14/6/1770. Part of King's Wark q.v. sold to Bernard Lindsay, groom of his Majesty's bedchamber, i.w.c.h., 17/7/1604. James VI granted a charter to B.I,. allowing him to build a famous piazza, contiguous to his own buildings, having sight of the harbour erected on arches and pillars of hewn stone and set about everywhere with seats of hewn stone, to be the ordinary Burse & walking place for merchants, natural & stranger, i.w.c.h. vol 4, 17/6 & 7/10/1612, His wife's name was Barbara Logan, 10/12/1614. He acquired from James Fawsyde of that Ilk that quarter of the Mains of Ballincrieff called Lochhill, , 17/7/1604, and was known as of Lochhill: he built a tennis court or caitchepell, south of the King's Wark, 26/4/1623. He had two sons, Capt. Thomas, elder, who succeeded him, 20/1/1632, and Mr. Robert. He was son to Mr. Robert Lindsay of Tilliehogg, and had a sister, Isobel, who married Mr. Harry McGill, minister, at Dunfermline, 19/7/163 Also a br. Robert. On 1/3/1643 Capt. Thomas disponed his part of the King's Wark to his brother Mr. Robert, cup bearer to the Prince, 23/6/1632, and on same day sd. Mr. Robert disponed all his rights to Sir Wm. Dick of Braid, who in his turn, 7/4/1647, disponed the King's Wark to the town of Edinburgh. The waste ground, formerly called the common closets, being a pendicle of the King's Wark, i.w.c. h.4, 22/3/1564, now called the Burs, do. do. 17/8/1568. , Capt. Bernard Lindsay owned tent. in Broad Wynd, m. t. c. 15/11/1797. The Town Council received a decreit from the King, granting to Bernard Lindsay "foure takeins" in the King's Wark in l,eith, (connected with the Impost). Margin has "Mister Bernard Lyndsay", m.t.c. 3/2/1613. 'I'own agreed to submit the controversy between them and Bernard. Anent the meithing (I ) of the King's Wark, specially the n. part thereof to Earle of Dunfermline, great Chancellor of Scotland, m.t.c. 22/11/1616. A letter from the King, not offended, anent controversy between the 'I'own and his servant, Bernard I,.,m.t.c. 21/2/1617. Bernard L. one of H.M. grooms of his bedchamber compeared and was with his spouse Barbara Logan infeft in lands, not described in Leith,m.t.c. 5/12/1017. Sklaite work between Bernard Lindsay's tower and the Broad Wynd, pertaining to the good toun,m.t.c. 23/12/1668. Bernard L. entertained the future Earl of Suffolk in his house, Aug. 1614, c.d.a.s.i. 455, also John 'I'aylor, the Water poet, and Ben Jonson, Aug. 1618, c.d.a.s.i. 455. St. Bernard's Street, formerly called the Weigh-house Wynd, Kincaid 222. 'I'he old Tower commonly called "Bernard's Nook" owned by Patrick Anderson, merchant in Edinburgh, m.t.c. 7/7/1790. Barnie's Newck, on the north syd of the way leadding to the weyhous of Leith, m.t.c. 22/8/1677. Burnt waste land called Bernard's neuck, owned by Gilbert Mathusone, to be rebuilt by him, m.t.c. 14/2/1711. Bernard's Nook was an old Tower, commonly called Bernard's Nook, and old waste and burnt lands built into great tenement by late Gilbert Mathieson, m.t.c. 8/8/1804, Sec. s.s.l. 67. 'I'ower, (turris) called Bernard's Nuick, beside Weigh-house, Prot. 8/5/1711, A. W.4, see j.r.s.l. 307-309. Feu duty due by Alex. Mathieson for Barnie's I. Wark, m.t.c. 31/12/1701. Lands and tenements with 'I'imes Courts, yard and stables, close, wells etc. of the King's Wark in Leith pertaining before to Capt. Thos. Lindsay: also dwelling house of old pertaining to Bernard Lindsay, thereafter to Mr. Robt. Lindsay. Tent. of old of B.L. conquist by him from umq. Thos. Marjoribanks of Ratho.
BERRY SQUARE	An old name. Supposed to have been from the old proprietor, Baird.
BISHOP'S CLOSE	Edward Nisbet's, later James Nisbet's Prot. A. 4.3, 31/1/1710 or Patrick Nisbet's Close, Prot. J. W., 24/6/1749. Alexr. Lindsay's M.285, c.2 or Lindsay's Close, Prot. A.W.3, 6/1/1707. ,Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. The name is certainly derived from the Bishop's land, which stood in the close; the difficulty being to identify the Bishop. Robert Chambers Fires, 46 states that the Bishop's land had been the residence of the Bishop of Edinburgh, but gives no authority. Wilson Wilson, ii.45 states that it was inhabited by John Spottiswoode, Archbishop of St. Andrews, 'as appears from the titles', from his father, Superintendent of Lothian, Not(,:It is the Bishop's, not the Archbishop's, land, but he does not quote the titles. Grant o. & n.e. i. 208 quotes and amplifies this, but gives no proof. Chambers, in his 'I'raditions and Reeklana, makes mention of the Bishop's land, but contracts no Bishop with it. From the frequent entries in the protocols it seems clear that the Bishop was Thomas Sydserf of Saintserff, Bishop of Orkney, who, as Bishop of Galloway, caused Samuel Rutherford to be removed from Anwoth and confined to Aberdeen 1636. In one protocol J.W.1, 24/6/1749 we find the close of late Edward Nisbet, thereafter of Patrick Nisbet, merchant, west of (North) Gray's Close, where 'I'homas Sydserff, Bishop of Orkney , having demolished the building, built Bishop's land. In anotherProt. .F.2, 21/11/1748 It is stated that the Bishop's land was owned of old by George Henderson of Fordell: then by John Saintserff: then by Alexander Saintserff: then by his son James, merchant: then by (his son) 'I'homas, Bishop of Orkney: then by, his son, Mr. (later Sir) John Saintserff, M.D.: then by his daughter Katherine, wife of John Ramsay, advocate, Sheriff-depute of Perth, and their successors. The Bishop's land was thus built, or rebuilt, by said Thomas Saintserff or Sydserf, Bishop of Orkney, being bounded on the cast by the tenement of Robert. Lindsay ,and on the west by the large building of the Bishop of Glasgow, Prot. G.I.3, between 10/12/1739 and 14/4/1740. In another protocol Prot. G.I.1, 19/2/1731 the boundaries are given, lands of umquhyle John Lindsay (succeeded, it would seem, by Robert Lindsay) of Covington on the east, and of the former Bishop of Dunkeld on the west. This looks as if the Bishops of Glasgow and Dunkeld had been owners, at different times, of the same mansion. The Close was also known as Edward Nisbet's, James Nisbet's, Prot. A. W.2, 20/8/1705, or Patrick Nisbet's, Prot J. W. 1, 24/6/1749, from Edward who owned a back-land there,Prot. A. W. 6, 17/1/1723; J.W.2, 21/2/1751, and who, as eldest son of William Nisbet, burgess and guild brother, was admitted to the same privileges, 9th September 1596. James and Patrick were 'Merchants'. These Nisbets seem to be of the family of the Nisbets of Dirleton. Dirleton's land, owned by Wm. Nisbet of Dirleton, stood at the foot of Hart's Close; it was disponed to the town by his grandson, also Wm. Nisbet of Dirleton, 30th March, 1740, Prot. J. W.2, 21/2/1751. Henry Nisbet, provost 1579, owned a tenement in Ballantyne's, now Hart's Close, Prot. G.H.4, 2/2/1712. Lindsay's Close, being the first close west of (North) Gray's Close, Prot. G.H. 7, 12/7/1727, must be the same as Bishop's Close, although no distinct alias is found. Bishop's land was bounded on the east by the tenement of umquhyle John Lindsay of Coventoun, Prot. G.H. 7, 12/7/1727, which seems to have been inherited by Robert Lindsay, Prot. G.I.1, 19/2/1731. A tenement on the north side of the High Street, on the east side of Lindsay's Close, had been rebuilt by the late Alexr. Lindsay, inherited by Barbara and Margaret Lindsay, and thereafter by Thomas Lindsay. The tenement of Wm. Lindsay of Restalrig lay to the west,Prot. A. W. 4, 13/9/1711 . A tenement, entered by a turnpike from North Gray's Close, pertained sometime to Robert Lindsay, Reg. 19/10/1860. It lay on the east side of Bishop's land, Prot. G.H.4, 15/8/1712. Bishop's Close appears lengthened out to Bishop's Land Close, Reg. 28/4/1742.
BLACKET PLACE AVENUE	On the grounds of Dr. Benjamin Bell, 1830. From Blacket Castle the ancient seat of the Bell family. He owned Newington House.
BLACKFORD AVENUE ROAD	From Blackford Hill, close by. lands also known in 1631 as Champunyie, q.v. See also Blackford-Part II
BLACKFRIARS STREET	Formerly Wynd; earlier Preaching friars' vennel, leading to the Monasterv of the Black, or Dominican friars, on south side of the Cowgate, o.& n.e. 1. 258. Founded by Alexander 11, 1230, Anderson 6,N.1. "Le frere" or Blackfriars Wynd John Foular. Before 1513 "Predicant friars", m.t.c. 17/1/1821. Blackfriars' Wynd, c. c. 506, 3/6/1483, Wm. Cunninghame's lands on e.s. of the "blak frier" Wynd sometimes pertaining to the blakfriers of this burgh,m.t.c. 25/7/1601.
BLACKIE ROAD	From Ballie John Blackie, market gardener there, j.r. 1890.
BLACKWOOD CRESCENT	On Blackwood's ground, Kirkwood.
BLAIR STREET	Shown in Ainslie's Map of 1780. Widened later. From Sir James Hunter Blair, provost 1784. His own name was Hunter, he assumed that of his wife on inheriting the estates of Blair of Dunskey, o. & n.e. He was King's Printer, and the King's Printing Office was in Blair St. Kay 1. 64, D. 1800.
BLENHEIM PLACE	D. 1827. From Marlborough's victory in 1704. Battle of Blenheim.
BONAR PLACE	From proprietor of the ground, Kirkwood. 'I'homas Bonar, painter, had property in Newhaven, m.t.c. 31/1/1797.
BONNINGTON GROVE ROAD TERRACE	From the mansion house of Bonnytown, evidently flattering. Robt.Logan, sometyme of Bonytown, Burgess Regt. 22/7/1629. Bonytown Mills. Maitland 58. Bonytown 1560. Irons I. 283. "Pulchella" Reek. 35. See also Bonnington Avenue-Part II
BOOTHACRE COTTAGES	At each end of Leith Links booths were erected for the citizens seeking to escape the plague of 1645. Many uncoffined bodies were found at the Boothacre, j.r.s.l. 334.
BOROUGHLOCH LANE SQUARE BUILDINGS	From the Borough or South Loch, now drained, where Meadows are now. "Borrow Loch" 1681, K.50. o.e.c. X.
BORTHWICK'S CLOSE	Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood, Kerr. Vicus Borthwick,;Gordon. Shown as Lord Durie's Close, o.& n.e. 1. 242, but no authority. From the house built there by Lord Borthwick in the middle of the fifteenth century, on the west side of the close, north of the King's Wall of 1450, New Lights, 81. 'I'he lands were sometime of Dominus Borthwick Prot. G.H.4, 28/11/1711 of the family of Borthwick of that Ilk, Wilson, ii. 31. Grant says that it was for long called Lord Durie's Close, from the mansion of Lord Durie, President of the Court of Session 1642, o. & n.e. v.242, but this seems to be an error arising from a Misunderstanding of Wilson's account of the house and story of Lord Durie, Wilson, ii. 31-33.
BOSWALL ROAD	On property of Boswall of Blackaders,.Ainslie 1804, Kirkwood. Capt. Donaldson Boswall of Wardie, m.t.c. 30/6/1824. Capt. R.N., m.t.c. 20/6/1832. See also Boswall Avenue etc. -Part II.
BOSWELL'S COURT	Shown as Boswell's Close, Ainslie, p.w. list 1 779. Kirkwood. Lothian's Close. It was named from the chief resident, Dr. Boswell, doctor of medicine, dwelling there about the end of the eighteenth century, o. & n.e. i.90. The name is not given in p.w. 1773 or 1780, but see Reg. 7/5/1864. It has been identified with Ross's Court, m.t.c.43, but this does not tally with D.1827, which gives Boswell's Court as 392 and Ross's Court as 380. It appears, however, to be the same as Lowthian's Close, Prot. A.W.6(;, 211/1721), which takes its name from Louthian's land, Prot. W.F.2, 24/2/1749 and 14/5/1749, owned by Thomas Lothian, merchant, and situated on the south side of the Castlehill, Prot.A.W.3, 23/3/1711; Reg. 7/5/1864.
BOTANIC GARDENS	Originally a square piece of ground at east end of Nor' Loch; Edgar 1742-1765, removed to ancient Royal Garden, Holyrood, Edgar 1742-1765: again to Westside of Leith Walk, .Ainslie, 1804. Again to Inverleith 1822. Lothian Map 1825. Ground acquired there by Horticultural Society from J. Rochead of Inverleith, May 1823, e.e.c.j.s.. Not a street name.
BOWHILL TERRACE	Goldenacre . On ground of the Duke of Buccleuch, who owns Bowhill, near Selkirk, j.r.
BOWLING GREEN STREET	Front the bowling green there before Queen Anne's day, which gave name to Bowling green house, t.s.s.257. Street built after 1810, fees. 8/2/1810, v.r.,31, in the Lees quarter of Leith, m.t.c. 3/4/1782.
BRAID AVENUE CRESCENT ROAD	Alias Quilts, m.t.c. 8/8/1821.From the Braid hills and Burn/Braidsburn, m.t.c. 26/11/1786.
BRAIDBURN CRESCENT TERRACE	From the Braid hills and Burn/Braidsburn, m.t.c. 26/11/1786.
BRAIDHILLS ROAD	From the Braid hills and Burn/Braidsburn, m.t.c. 26/11/1786. See also Braid-Part II.
BRAND PLACE	Littlejohn, App. 26. James Brand's coach body maker. Ironside Court, Abbeyhlll, D. 1827.
BRANDFIELD STREET	From the house of Sir Alex. Brand, who bought the lands of Dalry from Major Cheislie, circa 1704, o. & n.e. ii,217. Part of Brandsfield, now called Dalry, west side of Dalry lane, running from west end of Maitland St., for sale 21/8/1821. House & place Ord. Surv. 1859, place D. 1827."Sir Alexander Brand of Dalry or Brandsfield", v.r. 45. Alex. Brand of Brandfield whose daughter Elizabeth married Alex. jolly, writer and clerk of Court of Admiralty in Scotland, 2 Reg. 8/2/1744. Lands of Dalry, sometimes called Brandsfield, now Gardner hall, owned by Wm. Gardner, now dead,Reg. 16/12/1858. Purchase of feues belonging to Sir Alex. Brand of Brandfield, in the barony of Dalry, m.t.c. 12/12/1722.
BREAD STREET	D.1825. Orchardfield. Ainslie 1804. Kirkwood. One baker at least in it ever since 1825, and a Bread Society there at one time. Suggested connection with "Assise on Bread", m.t.c. 1 7/11/1830.
BREWERY LANE	Evident.
BRICKWORK CLOSE	108 Kirkgate, D.1827. Evident.
BRIDGE LANE STREET	Evident. Old name Tobago St. q.v.
BRIDGE PLACE	Part of Glenogle Road. Evident.
BRIGHT TERRACE	Complimentary to John Bright, M.P. vide infra.
BRIGHT'S CRESCENT	On property of Dunean McLaren, M.P. brother-in-law and admirer of John Bright, M.P., Quaker, freetrader, corn law repealer, etc.
BRIGHTON CRESCENT PLACE	Compliment paid by the "Brighton of Scotland" to the older English sister. Built about 1820, eec.j.s. 25/3/1822, Baird.
BRISTO PORT PLACE STREET	From the ancient port in the Flodden wall of 1513. Anciently Gallowgate, Stark 1806, 96. Later known as Greyfriars and Society Port, q.v. The lands of Bristo mentioned about 1554, o. & n.e. iii, 29. m.t.c. 12/1/1876. The name may come from the Brewers or Brewsters, close by. Reek map gives Briston, an evident error. In one print of Gordons map of 1647, Bristol is given-as also volb for row, but the error is consistent, an old form of current w being similar to lb. Bristow St. M. A brother of Tourio of Inverleith held the lands there in reign of James IV, j.r. In protocol of G.H.13 12/12/1738 Robert Gilmor, ropemaker in Bristol; witnessed deed subscribed at Heriot barns, near Edinburgh. Alias Potterrow, l.c. 1859, 4/4/1621. The form Bristall occurs m.t.c. 16/11/1705 and 21/12/1705 and 2/12/1642. Bristo Place etc. formerly "the calsav leidand fra the Societie port to the Wynd mylne", m.t.c. 27/12/1635.
BROAD WYND	Descriptive, p.w. 1780/81, 105, Irons 1. 57.60. Kirkwood Prot 19/12/1699.
BRODIE'S CLOSE	Ainslie,. Kirkwood. Kerr. Lord Cullen's Close, Edgar, formerly Lord Cullen's Close, Kirkwood, Cullen's Close, I.ittle's Close, o.&n.e. iii. South end, 'Entry to Old Bank', Ainslie, Bakers' Close, Reg.21/5/1861.This close extended formerly from the Lawnmarket to the Cowgate, till cut through by Victoria Street, Kerr. It took its name from Francis Brodie, wright, glass grinder, and burgess, Brodie & Son, wrights and undertakers, Lawnmarket, 'p.w. 1773; 'cabinet-makers, p.w. 1779, father of and partner with the notorious William Brodie, wright, gambler, burglar, and Deacon of the wrights, who was hanged at the Old Tolbooth, 1st October, 1788, along with his accomplice, George Smith, See Provost Wm. Creech's account of the trial, pub1ished while Brodlie lay under sentence of death, also that by Wm. Roughead, W.S., 1906. It was from the same family that Brodie's Building and Close, south side of the Canongate foot, took their name, q.v. Edgar names the close Lord Cullen's Close, and Kirkwood, 'Brodie's Close, formerly Lord Cullen's'. It thus perpetuated the name of a former occupant, Sir Francis Grant of Cullen, who joined the Revolution party in 1688, was raised to the bench 1709, and died 1726, o. & n.e.i.111. An earlier name was Little's Close, from the mansion of William Little of Liberton, which stood in the close, bearing the date 1570, trad. 74, but demolished 1836. It seems to be so called in D.1799, pp.6 and 233. It is also one of the bewildering Cant's Closes, and is described as just east of Fisher's Close, Reg,. 9/12/1861, but no further information given, and this may be a careless slip for Cullen. The lower end of the close, which was far from being a clear straight thoroughfare, was known as 'Entry to the Old Bank', Ainslie, or Bakers' Close, deriving the latter from the property of the Incorporation of the Bakers, Reg. 21/5/1861.
BROUGHAM PLACE STREET	From Lord Henry Brougham, statesman, etc. Born in Edinburgh 1778: received freedom of the city 1825. Complimentary, banquet Oct. 1859. Lord Chancellor of the University, May 1860. The street was made in 1859, when the Melville Drive was opened. He died May 1868.
BROUGHTON STREET STREET LANE MARKETS PLACE ROAD	From the ancient village and barony of Broughton. "Broughton place to be built", 9/1/1808, eec.j.s. Broughton St. m.t.c. 17/6/1807.
BROWN STREET	Brown's St. D.1827. In Lothian Map 1825, not in Ainslie 1804. map New Pict. Edin. 1820, not in do. do. 1818. Water granted to John Brown, builder; for houses in Brown St. opposite foot of East Richmond St.,m.t.c. 31/5/1815. "Near Edinburgh", m.t.c.17/1/1827.
BROWN'S CLOSE	D.1827. O.S. Kerr. Sommervile's Close, Ainslie, Kirkwood. John Brown, gardener, owned lands east of those of Mr. John Campbell,Prot. J.H. Canong. 9/11/1682, but the name of the close seems to be derived from Joseph Brown, baxter, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, Can. Chart. 3/6/1845, who acquired the tenement and close commonly called Paterson's Land and Close. Joseph Brown Joseph Brown, baker, head of Rae.5 Close, Canongate: D. 1800 of Anne Mills resided in Chessel's Court;D. 1827, he had a son John, a farmer at Brunstain, Can. Chart. 3/6/1745. Another son was George Bell Brown, brewer. The Rev. Wm. Brown, Free Church, Rayne, and Thos. Carmichael Brown, brewer, North Back of theCanongate, were of this family, Can. Chart. 21/5/1887, 20/5/1891. John Brown of Annsmills is mentioned in connection with Brown's formerly Somervell's Close, Can. Chart.21/5/1887, 20/5/1891. The older name, Sommervile's Close, Ainslie, Kirkwood, was named from the land of the late John Sommerville, now of his son Jack on the east of Campbell's Close, Can. Chart. 14 and 19/3/1798. John Sommerville was a gunsmith by trade, but failed in business, and his lands, in part at least, were sold by his creditors. Besides his sort Jack, he had two daughters, Miss Elizabeth, and Jean who married Archd. Rough, invalid soldier in the Canongate, Can. Chart. 23/11/1808. His widow is probably the Mrs. Somerville in Somerville's Close, p.w. 1780, and his daughter Elizabeth the Miss Somerville in Somerville's land, D. 1799. He also built a tenement in Little Lochend's Close, m.t.c. 25/6/1836. The alias, 'Somerville's now Brown's Close', is distinctly given, Can. Chart. 316/1845. The name Paterson's Land and Close, mentioned above, is derived from John Paterson, and is described in a charter granted to Joseph Brown, baker, Canongate, as lately belonging to John Paterson, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh, near the foot of the Canongate on the north side, m.t.c. 23/10/1808. The lands and close, were bounded on the west by Campbell's land. Paterson's land is the Golfer's land, traditionally said to have been built by John Paterson, shoemaker, with his share of the stakes won by him and the Duke of York, afterward James VII, from two boastful Englishmen, Wilson, ii, 110; Chambers, i, 197. The house is now altered, but Paterson's anagram 'I hate no person' and Pitcairn's epigram have been carved at the entrance to the close.
BROWN'S COURT	D. 182 7,,140. D. 1832, 125. Shown as Brown's Close, . Ainslie, Kirkwood. Wilkie's Close, Can. Chart. 3/5/1775. Straton's Close, Can. Chart. 3/5/1775. The close takes its name from the property therein acquired by Andrew Brown, late of Greenbank, thereafter by John Stratton, merchant and burgess of Edinburgh, who had one daughter, Jean, who conveyed it to Arthur Straiton, wigmaker, and he, in turn, to John Munro, musician in Edinburgh, and his son John. They conveyed it to the Earl of Panmuir, and he, 3rd July 1751, to James Ogilvie of Inchmartine, advocate. Monro's Close was on the east side of the tenement, Can. Chart. 22/6/1757, .3/5/1775. A transe or close led from the High Street of the Canongate to the lodging and court of Andrew Brown of Blackford, bounded on the west by Panmure's Close, Can. Chart. 28/4/1762, 7/6/1786. Andrew Brown, brassfounder, was there in 1827, but had probably no connection with the name of the close or court. The names, Wilkie's Close or Straton's Close, Can. Chart. 3/5/1775 are derived from Andrew Wilkie, son to Andrew Wilkie, lorimer in the Canongate, who disponed property in favour of John Straiton, merchant, o.e.c. x. 257, burgess of Edinburgh, from whom it came to Arthur Stratton, his son, o. e. c. x. 257, and Can. Chart. 3/5/1775. This John Stratton was the man who in 1658 took a nineteen years' lease of the Broad Meadows, that is, the South Loch, etc., and did much by draining, etc., to improve the amenity of 'Straiton's Park', later known as 'Hope Park', and now as 'The Meadows'. Unfortunately his speculation was so unsuccessful that, falling into arrears with his rent, he was committed to the Tolbooth, from which he was released in order to 'maw the grass and dig the stanks', on 19th June 1678 till 1st July 1678, on the petition of his wife, Janet Jamesone, his son-in-law Arthur Straton of Whitehouse becoming catitioner for his re-entering prison. On 28th June the Town accepted the bond of said John Straton and his son-in-law Arthur Straton for 1200 pounds, payable at Martinmas next, and relieved John Straton of his tack. Arthur Straton had a daughter who married David Steel, taior, and thus entitled him to be made a burgess, 5th June 1678.
BROWN'S PLACE	Part of Vennel, D. 1827. James Brown Esq. Brown's PI. Vennel, D. 1827. 22. Jas.Brown, resident in Vennal-builder of stables and houses there, m.t.c. 12/5/1824
BRUNSTANE GARDENS ROAD	From the old mansion of Brunstane or Glibertoun. Crichton, Laird of Brunstane, 1545. Both names in 1736, o.& n.e. iii. 149. Baird 63, q.v. for full information. Brunstane may refer to the local coal seams.
BRUNSWICK LANE PLACE ROAD STREET	Compliment to Duke of Brunswick, Duke of Bruntswick 1809-1815. Killed at Quatre Bras, D.1827. Caroline, queen of George IV, of that house of Duke of Brunswick received the freedom of' the city, 7/9/1825, m.t.c.
BRUNTSFIELD AVENUE CRESCENT GARDENS PLACE TERRACE	From the lands of Brownfield, Brownsfeild, or Bruntsfield, resigned in 1381 by Richard Brotine to Alane de Lawdre. Bought by Sir George Warrender 1695. Present house built in 10th century. Called Broomsfield 1738. Brownsfield, Maitland 178. "Brantoune Links" Balfour's Annales 1644. o.& n.e,. iii.20, o.e.c. x. ,for full information. Not from murder of Stephen Bruntfield, as told St. G. 97.
BRYSON ROAD	After Robert Bryson, watchmaker, member of theMerchant Coy. Muster of the Merchants Coy. 1874-76. Superiors of the grounds.
BUCCLEUCH STREET PLACE PEND	Built about 1766 by James Brown, builder of George Sq, St.L. 44. Buccleuch St. seems -Ainslie 1780 to have been the street, planned opposite to and in a line with Buccleuch Place, where is now an arched pend, marked "Buccleuch St." By 1804 the name had been transferred to a much older part of Causeyside. The Duke of Buccleuch, a prominent nobleman, encourager of Scottish manufactures, cattle breeding, etc. See Scots. Mag. The Duke of Buccleuch made honorary Burgess and Guildbrother along with Duke of Montague for services rendered personally and by ancestors, m.t.c. 6/6/1770. Entertained with officers of South Fencible Regt. and Dragoons, m.t.c. 10/2/l779.
BUCCLEUGH PLACE	m.t.c. 1/3/1809 & 12/4/1809."The building above the pend or arch leading to Buccleitch Place. 'I'his seems to be the pend leading into St. Patrick Square, over which "Buccleugh Street" is cut, as shown in Ainslie 1804, what is now called Buccleuch St. is there". London road by Carlisle: no sign is given of the future St. Patrick Sq., but a street, planned, not built, is shown, "Buccleugh Street"-entered by a pend or entry. The west side of Buccleugh St. is mentioned, D.1800, 224. Buccleuch Place, D. 18OO, 204. Buccleuch Place called Buccleuch St. Kincaid, 108, 126.
BUCHANAN'S COURT	Shown as Close, Ainslie. Kerr. Walter Willie's Close, Edgar. Buchanan's, formerly Walter Willie's, Kirkwood, Hunter's Close. Named from Buchanan's land, which stood between the close and the Old Bank Close. It is mentioned in the Town Council Minutes, especially, 13/7/1771 in connection with the great fire there, but not in the protocols explained. Chambers Fires states that Buchanan's land took the place of the ancient timber tenement of the Abbot of Cambuskenneth, burned 1725. Peter Williamson 1773, mentions Buchan's Court-probably the same. The old name was Walter Willie's Close, Edgar; Kirkwood. It may be derived from 'Water' Willie, the last waterman plying his vocation, Kay, ii, 36. It seems also to have been called Hunter's Close. There was a James Hunter, physician, close by in the Old Bank Close, p.w. 1780.
BULL'S CLOSE	o.s. Kerr. Shown as May Drummond's Close, p. w. list 1779. Drummond'sClose, Ainslie. Drummond's or Bull's Close, Kirkwood. Ford's Row, Can. Chart. 26/8/1868, 22/1/1904. It was named from the property of Robert Bull, wright, burgess of Edinburgh, husband of Jean or Joanna, second daughter of John Wright, former owner. Robert Bull and his wife resigned the property, 11th April 1701, Can. Chart. 31/10/1821. Bull's land was bought by Peter Lamont, lint manufacturer, husband of Agnes Henderson, at the sale of the estate of the late Mrs. Marion Drummond, Can. Chart. 16/10/1860. It was known in consequence as Lamont's land, m.t.c. 18/1/1832. The name Drummond's, or May Drummond's Close, was derived from the above Marion Drummond. John Carfrae, coachmaker, acquired property, including two small houses, entering from Bull's Close, owned by the late Miss Mary Drummond, sister of the late George Drummond, late Provost of Edinburgh, Can. Chart. 27/3/1799. She was the preaching Quakeress celebrated by Pope, Spence, and others, Chambers, ii. 50. Her name varies a little: May, Marion, Can. Chart. 11/6/1861, or Mariana,Can. Chart12/6/1833 She owned the tenement in the close, m.t.c. 29/11/1815, as well as other land on the north side of the Canongate, below the church, m.t.c. 5/3/1800, 1/8/1804. A very modem name is Ford's Row, Can. Chart. 26/8/1868, 22/1/1904,from the houses there owned by Wm. Ford, Holyrood glassworks.
BURGESS STREET TERRACE	Formerly Burgess Close, a little beneath Tolbooth Wynd, Leith, Maitland 48.5 c.2. granted bv Sir Robt. Logan of Restalrig to the burgesses of Edinburgh to gain access to the harbour, o.& n.e. iii, 166, 167, 235. D. 1827. Wilson ii. 192. Burges Cl., Leith, Prot. 7/8/1717. p.w.5.
BURNET'S CLOSE	Edgar. ,Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. Shown as Johnston's Close,New Lights, 14,5: Burnet's, formerly Johnston's Close,; Prot. G. L.1, 17/2/1764. Named from Samuel Burnet, a wealthy brewer and prominent citizen about 1600, New Lights, 103, 145, the owner of a tenement on the south side of the High Street at the head of Burnet's Close, Prot. J.W.4 12/5/1758. He was a merchant and burgess, Prot. J.W.4, 24/41758 having been made burgess and guild brother, 9th March 1591, as son to the late Alexander Burnet. Before the close took his name it was known as Johnston's Close, Edward Johnston, one of the Scottish adventurers for the plantation of Ulster under James VI, 1610, New Lights, 145: Burnet's, formerly Johnston's Close', Prot. G.I. 1, 17/2/1764. But the name is older. Alexr. Guthrie resigned a tenement in Johnston's Close on the south side of the High Street in 1564: it was bounded on the north by lands of John Marjoribanks, and of James Johnston on the south, c. c. 1968, 31/1/1564. Edward Johnston owned property in Johnston's, now Burnet's Close, owned later by Peter Mories, and still later by Mr. Robert Windram, W.S., Prot. G.L.1, 21/3/1764; W.F. 1, 16/7/1745, which still exists, occupied by Smith, Fletcher & Co., wireworkers, New Lights, 146. Wm. Johnston owned a house in the close built by Wm. Stevenson, Prot.G.I.2, 18/2/1736, and Sir Daniel Wilson speaks of the house of Sir Patrick Johnston member of parliament for the city at the date of the Union in 1707, as standing at the head of this Johnston's Close, Wilson, i. 237. A tenement of land on the south side of the High Street, pertaining to Mr. Andrew Burnet of Waristoune, had been wadsett by him to John Ewing, merchant, London, for 6877 lib. Scots. Ewing entered into possession, m.t.c. 30/10/1678. This may relate to Burnet's Close.
BURN'S LAND	Probably from Wm. Burns, mason, Greenside Well, D. 1827, or rather from "Robert Burns feu" now called Greenside Place, m.l.c. 28/12/1803. Robt. Burns, marble cutter, Leith Walk. East side, D.1800, m.t.c. 29/4/1807. Not a street.
BURNS STREET	D.1827. Named after proprietor,j.r.
BYRES'CLOSE	Shown as Byers', o.s. and Kerr. Lauder's Close. Malcome's Close. This close contained the town house of Sir John Byres of Coats, Bart, o.e.c. i. 6; o.& n.e. 153. His father, John Byres, was 2nd bailie 1617, Treasurer 1612-1615, and Dean of Guild 1619-24. The inscription on his tomb in Greyfriars' churchyard, see Epitaphs and Monu- mental Inscriptions in Greyfriars' Churchyard, Edinburgh, by James Brown, 1867, states that John Byres of Coittes was for six years thesaurer of this city; two years city bailie and suburban ballie; six years Dean of Guild; and two years Old Provost, 'Old Provost' does not imply that the owner of the title, had been Provost: it seems to have been equivalent to 'Vice' or 'Depute', and many bailies were elected as Old Provosts who had never been 'Provost' or 'Lord Provost'. he died 24th November 1629, aged 60. Sir John Byres inherited more than one tenement in the close from his father, John Byres, merchant. He disponed his property, in part at least, to Archibald Paton, merchant; from whom it passed to his son John Paton, and later to John Malcolm. It belonged formerly to from him by his sons-first by James, and after him by Gilbert from whom it was acquired by John Byres mentioned above; from these former owners the close took the name of Lauder's Close, Prot.G.1.2, 31/7/1735. 'Byres' or Lauder's Close'(Prot. J.W.6, 1/4/1703). The property of Coates came ultimately into the possession of William Walker, Ainslie 1804, and it was feued early in the nineteenth century for streets, bearing such family names as William Street, Walker Street, and Coates Crescent, Lothian's map 1825. East Coates House, which was built by Sir John Byres in 1615, and contains lintels and other carved stones of the old family mansion in Byres' Close, Rom. Edinr. 264, has fortunately not only escaped the hand of the improver or destroyer, but is appreciatively preserved where its quaint beauty can be seen and enjoyed. The close, it seems, bore also the name of Malcolm's Close, which is described as being on the north side of the High Street, and contained the tenement of John, son and heir of William Malcome, Prot. 16/12/1532. As stated above John Malcolm acquired the tenement once owned by Sir John Byres; an adjacent tenement was owned in succession by Alexr. Relth, merchant: John Reith: Jeanna Reith, spouse of Mr. Alexr. Malcolm, minister in Edinburgh: Greyfriars' l681; Tron 1687; deprived 1689: the said Mr. Alexr. Malcolm: Jeanna Malcolm: William Gray: the said Jeanna Malcolm: and lastly by Andrew Purdie, merchant, 4th bailie in 1718, Prot. G.1.2, 31/7/1735.