Perhaps Newington’s greatest charm lies in its blend of past and present. Newington is a neighbourhood in southern Edinburgh. It developed from the early 19th century. Today, it is an affluent, predominantly residential area.
Newington sits between 1.5 and 4 kilometres south of Edinburgh city centre. It is bordered by St Leonard’s and Prestonfield to the east. Cameron Toll and Nether Liberton are to the south. Blackford, the Grange, and Sciennes lie to the west. The Southside of Edinburgh is to the north.
Historically, Newington was part of the parishes of St Cuthbert’s and Liberton. These were in the county of Midlothian. Newington was incorporated into Edinburgh between 1832 and 1896.
Once part of the ancient forest of Drumselch, the lands of Newington were feued by the town council of Edinburgh from 1586. Aside from small developments, the area remained mainly rural. Then, in 1805, Benjamin Bell purchased the lands. He began developing them as a suburb.
Around this time, a new route from Edinburgh’s New Town to Liberton was built. This accelerated the city’s southward expansion via Newington. Bus services connected Newington to the city centre from the 1850s. Trams arrived in 1871. Newington station opened in 1884. By this time, the area was almost entirely developed.
In the latter half of the 19th century, several institutions were established in Newington. These included the Longmore Hospital, the Royal Blind Asylum, and St Margaret’s School. Newington station closed in 1962.
The northern part of Newington features dense early Victorian tenements and Georgian terraces. South of Salisbury Road, the architecture transitions to sparser late Georgian and early Victorian developments. Some of these were founded as gated communities. Southern Newington includes Victorian villas and terraces. There are also some former industrial buildings.
With a population of around 11,000, Newington remains an affluent, mainly residential suburb. It is also one of Edinburgh’s most diverse areas. Newington is home to Edinburgh’s only synagogue. It also houses the headquarters of Historic Environment Scotland. The Causewayside site of the National Library of Scotland is also in Newington.
The name Newington is likely a variant of “Newton.” This means “new farm” in Scots. The name may have been invented by Alexander or Mariota Slowman or their daughter, Margaret. Between them, the Slowmans acquired five of the six lots feued at Newington between 1602 and 1628. Alexander Ellis purchased these lots in 1649. Afterward, he styled himself “Alexander Ellis of Newington.”
Alternatively, the name may come from “New town meadow.” This refers to Edinburgh’s role in the 16th-century feuing scheme. The “ing” here represents a meadow.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, property records often referred to Newington as “Belleville.” The origin of this title is obscure. It may relate to an alternative name for the mansion of Clockmiln near Holyroodhouse. The name has largely fallen out of use. It is maintained only in the name of a mansion on Blacket Avenue.
So, as you wander through Newington, remember its journey. From ancient forest to rural outskirts to a vibrant suburb. Newington continues to evolve. It preserves its unique character and contributes to the rich tapestry of Edinburgh.