Edinburgh then and now: See the changes to seven Edinburgh transport hubs over the years

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Published 30th Oct 2024, 04:45 GMT

In the latest instalment of our Edinburgh then and now series, we take a look at the city’s transport hubs.

There have been major changes over the years to how we get about Edinburgh, and to and from the Capital. Train stations have come and gone over the years, including a forgotten city centre station under one of the Edinburgh’s landmark hotels.

Our look at seven Edinburgh transport hubs show major changes to St Andrew Square Bus Station, the city’s newest train station Edinburgh Gateway, and the new tram depot opened at Gogar ahead of the return of trams to the Capital in 2014.

Between 1890 and 1893 a grand station with seven platforms and an 850 ft long bayed roof was erected on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, pictured above in 1898. Initially known as Princes Street Station, it had its own power station, to the west of the station in Rutland Court. Parcels and goods were dealt with at the nearby Lothian Road station, further up Lothian Road, which was opened in 1870. In 1899, work started on building a grand railway hotel above the main three archway entrance of the station, designed by Edinburgh architects, Peddie and Washington Browne, and opened in 1903 as Princes Street Station Hotel. It was commonly known as The Caledonian Hotel, with the station often also referred to as Caledonian Station. The main pedestrian entrance to the station became the right hand arch of the original three openings, while vehicular access was by way of Rutland Street. Both the station and the hotel were built in red sandstone in common with most Caledonian Railway buildings.

1. Caledonian Station/ Princes Street Station then

Between 1890 and 1893 a grand station with seven platforms and an 850 ft long bayed roof was erected on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, pictured above in 1898. Initially known as Princes Street Station, it had its own power station, to the west of the station in Rutland Court. Parcels and goods were dealt with at the nearby Lothian Road station, further up Lothian Road, which was opened in 1870. In 1899, work started on building a grand railway hotel above the main three archway entrance of the station, designed by Edinburgh architects, Peddie and Washington Browne, and opened in 1903 as Princes Street Station Hotel. It was commonly known as The Caledonian Hotel, with the station often also referred to as Caledonian Station. The main pedestrian entrance to the station became the right hand arch of the original three openings, while vehicular access was by way of Rutland Street. Both the station and the hotel were built in red sandstone in common with most Caledonian Railway buildings. | National World Photo: Archive

After nationalisation of the railways in 1948, it was considered logical to concentrate all rail services in Edinburgh at one station. With Waverley Station a short distance along Princes Street, by the 1960s Princes Street Station was seen as surplus to requirements. Although its street-level entrance was rather more convenient for travellers than that of Waverley, the latter was much larger, more conveniently located within the city, and had access to the East Coast Main Line. After closure of Princes Street, the west of the city would continue to be served by nearby Haymarket Station. Local services were gradually withdrawn. The remaining services to Glasgow Central, Stirling and English cities were then diverted to Waverley, allowing Princes Street Station to be closed in September 1965. The station was demolished in 1969–70, with the West Approach Road built along the track bed in the early 1970s. The hotel still operates on the site and has been renamed The Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel. Part of the station space still remains within it and the vehicle entrance screen is still visible at the side of the hotel. The former Parcels Office survived on Lothian Road between the hotel and the West Approach Road, until a major office development was constructed on its site in the 1990s.

2. Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel now

After nationalisation of the railways in 1948, it was considered logical to concentrate all rail services in Edinburgh at one station. With Waverley Station a short distance along Princes Street, by the 1960s Princes Street Station was seen as surplus to requirements. Although its street-level entrance was rather more convenient for travellers than that of Waverley, the latter was much larger, more conveniently located within the city, and had access to the East Coast Main Line. After closure of Princes Street, the west of the city would continue to be served by nearby Haymarket Station. Local services were gradually withdrawn. The remaining services to Glasgow Central, Stirling and English cities were then diverted to Waverley, allowing Princes Street Station to be closed in September 1965. The station was demolished in 1969–70, with the West Approach Road built along the track bed in the early 1970s. The hotel still operates on the site and has been renamed The Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel. Part of the station space still remains within it and the vehicle entrance screen is still visible at the side of the hotel. The former Parcels Office survived on Lothian Road between the hotel and the West Approach Road, until a major office development was constructed on its site in the 1990s. | Google Maps

St Andrew Square bus station was opened in April 1957 by Scottish Motor Traction, with 16 stances over five platforms and underground subways connecting the platforms. By the late 1960s, an office block had been built above the station where its building supports ate into the platforms considerably reducing the available space. The station, pictured above in 1992, closed on July 2, 2000 for development to commence on a modern replacement bus station, a pedestrianised shopping precinct and Scotland's first Harvey Nichols store.

3. St Andrew Square bus station then

St Andrew Square bus station was opened in April 1957 by Scottish Motor Traction, with 16 stances over five platforms and underground subways connecting the platforms. By the late 1960s, an office block had been built above the station where its building supports ate into the platforms considerably reducing the available space. The station, pictured above in 1992, closed on July 2, 2000 for development to commence on a modern replacement bus station, a pedestrianised shopping precinct and Scotland's first Harvey Nichols store. | TSPL Photo: National World

The new bus station opened in February 2003, four months late, now known as Edinburgh Bus Station. It was built by and is owned by Coal Pension Properties, and is leased by the City of Edinburgh Council. Since the station reopened, major issues have repeatedly arisen. Within days of its opening, bus drivers were complaining that the ramp into the station was too steep and was catching the bottom of their vehicles. That problem was resolved within a week, with minor changes made to the ramp. Other issues with faulty ceiling tiles, roof planes and flooding have occurred. The pension fund which owns the bus station told the council in March this year that it is willing to consider renewing the lease, or even selling the site to the local authority. It had previously indicated it did not intend to continue leasing the site when its current agreement with the council runs out in 2027.

4. Edinburgh Bus Station now

The new bus station opened in February 2003, four months late, now known as Edinburgh Bus Station. It was built by and is owned by Coal Pension Properties, and is leased by the City of Edinburgh Council. Since the station reopened, major issues have repeatedly arisen. Within days of its opening, bus drivers were complaining that the ramp into the station was too steep and was catching the bottom of their vehicles. That problem was resolved within a week, with minor changes made to the ramp. Other issues with faulty ceiling tiles, roof planes and flooding have occurred. The pension fund which owns the bus station told the council in March this year that it is willing to consider renewing the lease, or even selling the site to the local authority. It had previously indicated it did not intend to continue leasing the site when its current agreement with the council runs out in 2027. | JP License Photo: National World

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