Jean Guild Grant 2023: Northlight Productions
Project aims and background
The ‘Old Edinburgh Reborn’ project seeks to revisit the Edinburgh of the 1700s through virtual photography. It is being undertaken by Dr Robert Sproul-Cran of Northlight Productions Ltd. Robert is combining cutting-edge CGI (Computer Generated Imaging) techniques with historic sources – maps, plans, prints and written records – to allow photorealistic renders of the city in the 18th century. Using the magic of cinematic 3D modelling, he is going back beyond the dawn of photography allowing greater public understanding of how the city then appeared.
Photography came to Edinburgh in the early 1840s, providing new angles on what had been previously recorded through paintings, prints, maps and plans. Now cutting edge techniques of 3D modelling and CGI allow visual recreations based accurately on historical documentation – then use a virtual camera to photograph them. Once the model is built, weather and lighting can be changed. Figures are added – and views once familiar can be retrieved from the mists of history and brought to life once more. Robert started modelling Parliament Square as a proof of concept for a proposed feature film of ‘Memoir and Confessions of a Justified Sinner.’ The results drew him further into researching the astonishing ‘lost’ building of the old Scottish Parliament, hidden behind the early 1800s classical facade designed by Robert Reid. He has been granted privileged access to the building by Jennie Findlay, Head of Library and Archive Services at the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. She has been extremely helpful in alerting Robert to relevant documents and plans, and suggesting further potential resources. James Hamilton, Research Principal at The WS Society at the Signet Library has also assisted. Lord Cullen continues to be a generous source of knowledge and advice.
Yet much of this is beyond the reach of Edinburgh residents and visitors alike. There is only one illustration of old Parliament in session – the 1720 Atlas Historique of Nicolas de Gueudeville – yet there is not one to be seen within Parliament Hall itself. Lord Cullen’s booklet on the history of the building is an excellent resource, and until Robert started this project there were no interpretive visualisations available showing what the Hall looked like at that time. This project proposes a solution to that challenge, through a combination of de Gueudeville’s illustration, contemporary plans and physical investigation of hidden parts of the original building.
Project lead
Northlight’s founder Robert Sproul-Cran is a broadcaster, writer and artist. He joined the BBC as a radio newsreader and announcer, then moved into production, later setting up Northlight. He has made television programmes, video and film projects for the UK and international markets, particularly promoting Scotland on US PBS and producing award-winning education programmes for C4. Robert wishes to use his CGI expertise to share his passion for Edinburgh in a way which is accessible and inspiring.
Project activities
The project is researching and recreating views and exterior of Parliament Square, adding the Old Tolbooth, the Luckenbooths and scenes up and down the High Street. Robert is using original plans and documents from archives and repositories. In many instances the original building lies in ‘plain sight’ within the building we see today if one looks hard enough – and that is what he is doing. Where some of the stones and features have been removed or ‘lost’ in building renovations, Robert’s search is taking him to places where they may now be installed in other period buildings and perhaps into the homes of prominent Edinburgh people who acquired them.
Outputs and results
Robert has created a website, Old Edinburgh Reborn, to illustrate his project’s progress. He is showcasing his latest images and featuring the emerging ‘behind the scenes’ story of research and discoveries. The international appeal of Edinburgh’s history will make this new online access via the website available to a worldwide audience.
Prints of the most significant visualisations will be made available and presented to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service for display to visitors. This will also enhance visitor experience to the site at Parliament Hall, a lasting benefit to Edinburgh and in appreciation of its history. As part of his project he has acquired and framed an original copy of the Nicolas de Gueudeville print for display in Parliament Hall.
News of project progress
Robert is providing regular updates on his progress. You can also view the Old Edinburgh Reborn website and register for email updates. In September 2024 he gave an excellent presentation on his project to OEC members at the AGM.
Miss Jean Ritchie Guild
This project has been supported by a Jean Guild Grant, named after our benefactor, a long-standing member of the OEC. She joined the staff of the University of Edinburgh Library in 1948, later becoming Reference Librarian, much-respected for her skills and knowledge, especially in relation to the Faculty of Arts. Later she was responsible for publicity, Library publications, visitor programmes, and the Library’s relationship with the wider community.
