The latest issue
The latest issue of the Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, New Series – volume 20 (2024) – was published in March 2025.
We provide this free to our members, and non-members can order a copy for £25 (plus postage, £3 in the UK). Please contact us if you would like one.
Volume 20’s contents are:
Before Adam: The Earl of Morton and the Origins of Register House, Edinburgh, 1760–1769 - by Tristram Clarke
This article explores the early history of plans for a national records repository in Edinburgh, prior to the construction of Register House by Robert Adam. It highlights the role of James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton, in advocating for a purpose-built facility, assessing storage conditions, and securing funding. The study traces Morton’s architectural proposals, negotiations for a site, and engagement with the New Town’s development. Despite his death in 1768, his groundwork influenced Adam’s final design. The article also considers the wider political and administrative context in which the project developed.
Borrowing Books in a City of Literature, 1750–1830 - by Kit Baston
This article explores book borrowing trends in Edinburgh from 1750 to 1830, drawing on newly digitised library records from the Books and Borrowing project. It examines borrowing registers from major institutions, including the Advocates Library, Edinburgh University Library, the Royal High School, and Chambers’ Circulating Library. The study highlights popular books, reading habits, and the influence of libraries on education and professional development. By analysing borrower demographics and book selections, the article provides fresh insights into the role of libraries in shaping Edinburgh’s intellectual and literary landscape.
The Sweet Singers: “To See the Smoke and Utter Ruin of the Sinful Bloody City Edinburgh” - by Derrick Johnstone
This article examines the Sweet Singers, or Gibbites, an extremist faction within the Covenanter movement in late 17th century Scotland. Emerging after the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, they embraced a strict, separatist theology, renouncing worldly authorities and anticipating divine judgment on Edinburgh, which they viewed as a city of bloodshed – the blood of Covenanter martyrs. They were arrested and imprisoned in 1681, and gained a reputation for delusional behaviour. The group’s leaders, including John Gibb, experienced further spells of incarceration. The study traces their radical ideology, the state’s response, and the eventual fate of key figures, including those transported to the American colonies.
Representations of South Asians in Edinburgh in the 1840s - by Friederike Voigt, Hauke Wiebe, and Roger Jeffery
This article investigates the portrayal of South Asians in Edinburgh during the 1840s, focusing on artistic and photographic representations. It examines paintings by Thomas Faed, James Archer, and William Borthwick Johnstone, as well as calotypes by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson. The study contextualises these images within Edinburgh’s social and cultural environment, highlighting figures such as Dhanjibhai Nauroji, a Free Church missionary student, and unidentified sitters who modelled for artists. By exploring the presence and depiction of South Asians, the article offers new perspectives on diversity in 19th century Edinburgh.
Visualising Edinburgh’s Past through Virtual Photography - by Robert Sproul-Cran and Jennifer Findlay
This article explores how digital modelling and archival research can be combined to reconstruct Edinburgh’s historic streetscapes. Using 3D software, the authors recreate vanished landmarks such as the Old Tolbooth and Parliament Square as they appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries. The study draws on contemporary paintings, engravings, maps, and surviving architectural fragments, highlighting the challenges of interpreting artistic sources and verifying historical accuracy. The project, supported by a Jean Guild Grant from the Old Edinburgh Club, offers new perspectives on how technology can enhance public engagement with the city’s past. Dissemination is via the Old Edinburgh Reborn website.
Port Hopetoun, Eastern Terminus of the Union Canal - by Graeme Cruickshank
This article traces the history of Port Hopetoun, the eastern terminus of the Union Canal, from its establishment in 1822 as a hub for coal and goods transport to its closure in 1922. It examines the commercial activity surrounding the basin, its role in Edinburgh’s industrial expansion, and the impact of railway competition. The study also explores the urban transformation of Fountainbridge, the decline of canal transport, and the eventual repurposing of the site. Drawing on archival records, maps, and personal recollections, the article presents a detailed account of a vital but now lost part of Edinburgh’s infrastructure. The research has been supported by a Jean Guild Grant from the Old Edinburgh Club.
New Directions in Edinburgh’s Past: The Third Edition of the OEC Bibliography of Edinburgh History - by Malcolm Noble
This article introduces the third edition of the OEC Bibliography of Edinburgh History, which now contains nearly 3,000 records covering a wide range of sources on the city’s past. It discusses the methodology for inclusion, the influence of Old Edinburgh Club members in expanding the bibliography, and shifting academic trends, such as increased attention to cultural representation and Edinburgh’s role in the British empire. The article also outlines future updates to the database and invites further contributions to ensure a comprehensive resource for researchers.
Book Reviews
Authors and book titles:
- Shakhmatova, Khrystyna, Chuchra, Krzysztof Jan, and Francey, Steve, A History of Street Lighting in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
- Bradbury, Charles Kinder, and Fothringham, Henry Steuart, Brothers of Steell
- Price, Barclay, A History of Stockbridge
- Macphail, Rosslyn, From Fighting Napoleon to the Scottish Military Academy: The Life of Captain John Orr
Volume 20 also contains:
The Jean Guild Grants Programme
Annual Report of the Old Edinburgh Club