Edinburgh's Cockburn Street: 12 pictures from the 1950s and 1960s showing life in the picturesque city centre thoroughfare
Cockburn Street was constructed in the Capital’s Old Town in 1856, named after the recently-deceased Scottish lawyer, judge and literary figure Lord Cockburn.
He was an early proponent of city improvements that would not damage or obliterate Edinburgh’s history – developments such as Cockburn Street – and the judge’s head can still be seen carved on 1 Cockburn Street, currently used as as offices for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Prior to Cockburn Street, Waverley Station was only accessible by a steep and narrow lane from the High Street.
The new street was constructed by the building firm Peddie & Kinnear in the shadow of the rear of the 12-storey City Chambers, built in 1761.
The majority of the alleys and closes that run off the street date back to medieval times and were effectively sliced in half by the new thoroughfare.
The street came to international attention when it was used for a scene in the Marvel superhero film ‘Avengers: Endgame’, and also starred in Scottish features ‘Trainspotting 2’ and ‘Hallam Foe’.
Over the last century it has become home to many much-loved independent speciality shops, including fashion and entertainment retailers, as well as a mix of popular pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Here are 12 pictures of Cockburn Street more than half a century ago.
Read more:
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
1. What's new pussycat?
A cat in Cockburn Street checks out anther feline in a shop window in July 1954. Photo: Unknown
2. Shopping haven
Grants Department Store, on the corner of High Street and Cockburn Street, in October 1958. Photo: Unknown
3. Stunning view
A view of the Scott Monument from Cockburn Street taken in December 1962. Photo: Unknown
4. Pram prize
A pram in William Borthwick's baby shop in Cockburn Street which was to be gifted to one of the first babies of 1963 by the Evening Dispatch. Photo: Unknown