Here’s are some fascinating pictures selected from the Evening News archive, looking back at North Bridge over the decades.
The entrance to North Bridge from Princes Street is, of course marked on one side by the large Balmoral Hotel, formerly the North British Hotel, and on the other by what was the GPO building and is now Waverley Gate.
As well as the Evening News and The Scotsman, North Bridge has been home to some of Edinburgh’s major department stores. And its exposed position means it has also seen plenty of weather - from fog to snow to gales.
Scroll through and see what else one of our most familiar roads has been through over the years.
25. The Scotsman Hotel
The former offices of The Scotsman and Edinburgh Evening News at 20 North Bridge is now a five-star hotel. Photo: Ian Rutherford
26. Millions of pounds of repairs needed
Work has been under way on North Bridge over the past eight years. In 2018 the council announced that an inspection had found badly rusted steelwork and crumbling concrete unless millions of pounds of vital repairs were carried out, buses and heavy lorries would have to be banned from using it. | TSPL
27. Art brightens up the hoardings
As New Year 2023 approached, mural artist Chris Rutterford brightened up some of the hoardings with his painting of Hogmanay crowds gathering at the nearby Tron Kirk. He had originally painted the mural in 2013, but added a spectacular unicorn for its reappearance. | supplied
28. Surfacing works
Surfacing works being carried out on the west side of North Bridge in January 2024 as part of the major refurbishment project. The cost of the project and the timescale for the works had both increased when inspections of previously inaccessible areas revealed more extensive repairs were required. | Edinburgh City Council