The Leading Edinburgh Architects

In the mid-eighteenth century, Edinburgh, a densely populated medieval town contained by defensive walls, was confronted with economic growth, an increase in population and the necessity of town re-organization. Part of the background to this was the Union between the Scottish and English parliaments in 1707, the anticipated economic benefits of which finally began to pay off for Edinburgh in the second half of the century. With the emergence of new money, the city was in a position to start addressing its increasing in population, and the city authorities were motivated to improve the living conditions in the city. Now in the flowering of the Scottish Enlightenment, of which Edinburgh was the centre, they would provide a city suitable for the newly affluent society of Scotland. An analytical survey of the city environment was conducted by the Town Council, and commissioners charged with proposing necessary public works in the city were appointed in 1753. In 1752, Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, one of the appointed city commissioners, produced the Proposals for Carrying on Certain Public Works in the City of Edinburgh. In this, he insists: ‘Let us improve and enlarge this city, and possibly the superior pleasures of LONDON, which is at a distance, will be compensated, at least in some measure, by the moderate pleasures of EDINBURGH, which is at home’.