Thomas Vernon Begbie, the pioneering Edinburgh photographer, produced over 400 glass plate negatives of Scotland's capital city from the late 1850s onwards when photography was still in its infancy.
The astonishing collection, which includes a large variety of stereo views taken all over Auld Reekie, was discovered in a house in St James’ Square in 1950, where Begbie was born 110 years earlier. Had Begbie’s cache of images not been uncovered, it’s likely they would have been destroyed a decade later when three sides of St James’ Square were demolished.
Begbie’s images were later gifted to the City of Edinburgh by Stanley Cavaye, and the collection of glass negatives are currently held at the City Art Centre on Market Street.
Take a look through our picture gallery for a journey back in time – and let us know your thoughts in the comments section before you go.
9. Princes Street
A stagecoach waiting on Princes Street. The newly-built Life of Association head office (since demolished) can be seen in the background. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
10. Victoria Street
The top of Victoria Street looking east from Victoria Terrace. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
11. Canongate Tolbooth
Canongate showing Canongate Tolbooth. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
12. Waverley Station
View looking southeast towards Waverley Station and North Bridge from the Scott Monument. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections