Comely Bank, a neighbourhood nestled just southwest of the Royal Botanic Garden, whispers tales of history and charm.
Imagine strolling down Comely Bank Road, the very street where the renowned writer Thomas Carlyle and his wife Jane lived from 1826 to 1828.
These elegant Georgian townhouses, designed by Thomas Brown in 1817, stand as a testament to Edinburgh’s rich architectural heritage. This street, with its stately facades and cobbled paths, transports you back to a time when Edinburgh was a bustling hub of intellectual and artistic brilliance.
Behind these grand houses, Comely Bank transformed. Sir James Steel, a visionary builder and later Lord Provost of Edinburgh, purchased a vast tract of land in the late 19th century. He envisioned a neighbourhood of substantial tenements, a departure from the smaller homes that were prevalent at the time.
Steel’s grand vision, however, was interrupted by the First World War. Construction ceased, leaving the area in an unfinished state.
Despite the interruption, Comely Bank ultimately embraced modern life. Today, these Victorian tenements stand proudly amidst the leafy streets, a legacy of Sir James Steel’s ambition. The neighbourhood retains a sense of quiet elegance, a reminder of its genteel past.
And as you leave, remember the echoes of history that linger in the air – whispers of Victorian grandeur, echoes of Thomas Carlyle’s words, and the legacy of a city transformed.