In our latest retro back at life in Edinburgh’s communities over the years, we’ve found 28 great photos of life in Bruntsfield.
Bruntsfield is a largely residential area around Bruntsfield Place in southern Edinburgh. In feudal times, it fell within the barony of Colinton.
The modern district of Bruntsfield lies west of Bruntsfield Links, beyond which lies the district of Marchmont. Merchiston is to the west and Tollcross to the north. To the south and east lies the former estate of Greenhill, and to the south Morningside.
The estate built on land originally belonging to Bruntsfield House is called Marchmont, which the Warrender family began renting out in 1872. Many of the street names reflect the association with that family.
The whole area lay within the Burgh Muir of Edinburgh, from which a former farm Burghmuirhead took its name which passed eventually to a small area within Bruntsfield. The Burgh Muir stretched all the way through from the present-day Meadows to the Braid Burn at the foot of the northern slopes of the Pentland Hills.
The original name for the area was "Brounysfelde" or Brown's Fields, after the owner of Bruntsfield House.
The photos from our archives include a pop star’s visit to the local primary school in the 1990s, adverse weather in the area in past years, and some golf action from Bruntsfield Links, believed by some to be one of, if not the oldest golf course in the world.
1. White wedding
Vietnamese refugeesTran Chan Duon and Tran Bich Van have a traditional white wedding with a piper and lucky chimney sweeps in Bruntsfield, December 1980. | TSPL
2. Stage stars
Michael Williams, vocalist with the Drifters, rehearsed with P6 and P7 pupils from Bruntsfield Primary School, in January, 2012, ahead of the pupils joining the group on stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse in March during their UK tour. | TSPL Photo: Jane Barlow
3. Sledging on the Links
A mother and daughter sledging on Bruntsfield Links in February, 2000. | TSPL
4. Pop star
Pop star Billie Piper in June, 1998, with some of her fans at Bruntsfield Primary School. L/R Caitlin Heil (10), Sarah Murphy(10), Jacqueline Wilson (10), Lisa Scott(11), Anna Bayliss(10). | TSPL