Comments

1.

John Gordon

Easdale, Oban, Argyll & Bute, Scotland

Thank you to John Gordon, Easdale, Oban, Argyll & Bute, Scotland for sending me this copy of an early postcard by JR Russell, Edinburgh.

John wrote:

Teviot Street and Leven Street

"A Fruit and Grain Corner in Edinburgh"

"I puzzled about this postcard with the initials 'JRRE'.  My guess is that it is looking into Tarvit Street. The tramlines/tracks branching into the foreground are probably the start of Gilmore Place.

This leads me to the conclusion that the featured buildings were demolished to make way for the King's Theatre which was completed in 1906.

Question

"Can anybody tell me what the high chimney might have been?

I seem to remember a chimney on the other site of Leven Street associated with the tramways."

John Gordon, Easdale, Oban, Argyll & Bute, Scotland:  February 13, 2013

Hi John:

Thanks for sending the copy of your postcard to me.

-  The 'JRRE' on this card identifies it as one by J R Russell, Edinburgh.

-  I agree that the street leading straight ahead is Teviot Street, and that the buildings are in Leven Street, where the King's Theatre now stands.

-  Yes, the King's Theatre was built in 1905-06.  It was recently refurbished to commemorate its centenary.

-  The old tramway depot with its generator was on the site now occupied by the Tollcross Fire Station, hidden behind the buildings to the west of the clock at Tollcross.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  February 14, 2013