While most of Edinburgh has changed in some shape or form over the years, Fountainbridge has seen some of the biggest changes, with the area previously dominated by the Fountain Brewery now home to Fountain Park entertainment complex and the new Boroughmuir High School.
Anybody who left the city at the turn of the century and returned in 2023 would be amazed at the difference in the area. With the regeneration of the Union Canal also leaving its impact on Fountainbridge, with new flats, hotels, offices, bars and restaurants transforming the area in the last 20-30 years.
The birthplace of arguably Edinburgh’s greatest ever son, Sir Sean Connery, Fountainbridge has changed dramatically in the past three decades, with once iconic buildings like Fountain Brewery, the rubber works and Fat Sam’s restaurant on the corner of Semple Street and Fountainbridge now gone forever.
1. Fountain Brewery
The iconic Fountain Brewery and Tartan Club social club were the beating heart of Fountainbridge for many years, opening in 1856. The brewery was closed in 2004 and later demolished. Most of the site is now made up of offices, flats and hotels as well as a community garden. Photo: Rob McDougall
2. Eros Elite
Redevelopment of the area began with the construction of the Fountain Park leisure centre on former brewery ground on the north side of Dundee Street in 1998. Among the inhabitants of the first Fountain Park was the popular Eros Elite nightclub. The 3000 capacity super club opened on Hogmanay 1999 and closed in 2004. The unit is not taken up by a casino and a kids trampoline centre. Photo: Andrew Stuart
3. Rubber works staff
In 1951 Edinburgh's largest factory was the North British Rubber Company's works at Castle Mills Edinburgh which employed 3,664 people. In 1966 the company changed name to Uniroyal and the factory closed in 1973. Staff are pictured running out of the factory at the end of a shift. Photo: National World
4. End of an era
The former Scottish Courage Brewing LTD, Fountain Brewery being demolished in 2011. Photo: Ian Rutherford