A byword for quality, the Rankin brand sold a mixture of home-grown produce and exotic items imported from the far flung corners of the globe.With branches in Princes Street, the West End, Tollcross, Leith, Corstorphine, and as far afield as Musselburgh, their shops were absolutely everywhere in the Capital in the 1950s and ‘60s, before a rise in car ownership and supermarkets saw profits suffer towards the end of the century.
The business was sold in 1985, but memories of the famous greengrocer chain remain strong in Edinburgh to this day.

. Rankins' Flowers and Fruit - New shop at 80 Princes Street Edinburgh - Exterior
Rankins' Flowers and Fruit - New shop at 80 Princes Street Edinburgh - Exterior | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

. The founders
William and Peter Rankin started the business in 1912, selling fruit and vegetables from a small hand cart in Infirmary Street. | JPIMedia Photo: Contributed

. Flagship shop
The West End premises containing Vallance confectioners and Aitken & Niven pictured in 1949, shortly before Rankin's moved in. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

. Say it with flowers
A display of flowers at Rankin's shop, 80 Princes Street, 1960. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

. Market Street
Rankin's occupied premises on Market Street where the Edinburgh Fruit Market was situated. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

1. The founders
William and Peter Rankin started the business in 1912, selling fruit and vegetables from a small hand cart in Infirmary Street. | JPIMedia Photo: Contributed

2. Flagship shop
The West End premises containing Vallance confectioners and Aitken & Niven pictured in 1949, shortly before Rankin's moved in. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

3. Say it with flowers
A display of flowers at Rankin's shop, 80 Princes Street, 1960. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL

4. Market Street
Rankin's occupied premises on Market Street where the Edinburgh Fruit Market was situated. | JPIMedia Photo: TSPL