Princes Street Gardens is one of the most important urban parks situated in the heart of Edinburgh, separating the city’s Old Town from the New Town.
The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town, beginning in the 1760s. The loch, situated on the north side of the town, was originally an artificial creation forming part of its medieval defences and made expansion northwards difficult. The water was habitually polluted from sewage draining downhill from the Old Town.
The gardens run along the south side of Princes Street and are divided by The Mound, on which the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy buildings are located.
East Princes Street Gardens is the annual home of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market along with the Mound. While West Princes Street Gardens often sees thousands of music fans descend on the Ross Bandstand for concerts, including the main Hogmanay party every year.
The city centre gardens are a popular spot for visitors and locals alike, with sun worshippers heading there every summer to soak up the rays, either in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle in the west gardens or the Scott Monument in the east gardens.
17. Paying tribute
Old soldier John Dunlop gives a clenched fist salute at the International Brigade memorial in East Princes Street Gardens, March 1993. Photo: Hamish Campbell
18. Power nap
An unidentified elderly man takes a wee break on a park bench in Princes Street Gardens in 1964. Photo: Archive
19. Cool dude
Four-year-old Alfie McKelvie enjoys an ice cream in Princes Street Gardens to cool down as the sun hits the Capital in June, 2019. Photo: Neil Hanna
20. Poppies
The floral clock in 2018 at Princes Street Gardens was a special poppy tribute to mark the centenary of the signing of the Armistice, designed in partnership with armed forces charity, Poppyscotland. Photo: Lisa Ferguson