Edinburgh’s Queen Street is a broad, open thoroughfare with imposing buildings on one side and gardens on the other, giving a sense of space in the heart of the city.
Now a busy east-west traffic route after cars were removed from Princes Street, it has a long and distinguished history. It was named in honour of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenberg, consort of George IIIi, and is recognised as the longest parade of 18th century architecture in Edinburgh.
It used to be home to the Mary Erskine School and the Edinburgh base of the BBC and is still graced by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and an array of prestigious organisations like the Royal College of Physicians.
This selection of pictures from our archives includes major renovations of some of these buildings, as well as protests outside the BBC and reminders of other things that have happened in the historic street.
21. Mausoleum with hidden secret
This mausoleum-type structure in Queen Street Gardens East actually housed a Scottish Gas regulator. The picture was taken May 1985. Photo: Bill Stout
22. Anti-Nazi League demo outside BBC
The Anti-Nazi League hold a demonstration outside BBC Scotland in Queen Street in April 1979, protesting against giving the National Front air-time and referring to the death of anti-fascism campaigner Blair Peach earlier that year. Photo: Denis Straughan
23. Merchant banker Angus Grossart
Edinburgh businessman and merchant banker Angus Grossart outside his Queen Street office in Edinburgh, September 1981 Photo: Ian Porteous