Adam Brothers

The earlier buildings in the New Town were somewhat commonplace, though beautifully decorated within. By the end of the century, however, a beginning was being made with Charlotte Square, one of the finest works of the Adam Brothers.

Other notable works by these famous architects are found in the Register House (1774), now somewhat overshadowed, and in the old University (1789). Another charming group in the same spirit may be seen in the Royal Bank, with its flanking buildings, on the east side of St. Andrew Square.

The New Town proper, with its three main streets and two terminal squares, was completed soon after 1800. The Napoleonic Wars then caused a check; but by 1820 a new and ambitious programme was being carried out, partly in the Calton district and partly in the area lying between Queen Street, Fettes Row, and the Dean Bridge.

One of the latest and most charming examples of this period is to be seen in Ann Street, just opposite St. Bernard's Well in the Dean Valley.

The last phase of regular street planning, just before the Industrial debacle, is shown in the Melville Street area, and in the fine western approach to the Dean Bridge.

The Industrialists, with their "packing case" ideals in building, had made an early start in Edinburgh with certain buildings in the Dean Village. One of these, dated 1675, shows a certain stark dignity, seen also in the north front of the Municipal Buildings, nine storeys high, and in the much later Barrack at the west side of the Castle.

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