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Edinburgh Transport
Coaches
1700s |
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Adverts in the Press
Eighteenth Century |
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The coaching business in
Edinburgh developed during the eighteenth century, and was linked to a
number of inns in Edinburgh, due to the efforts of a few innkeepers.
Advertisements appeared in
newspapers such as the Caledonian Mercury and the Edinburgh Advertiser.
[I'll
attempt to find the accurate dates of these advertisements.]
At first the arrangements
appeared rather informal.
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1725 |
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There
is a good Glass Coach and six Horses belonging to Edward James,
which will set out for London or any part of England against the
17th Instant.
Enquiries at Mr
Somervil's Gunsmith at the Foot of the Canongate. |
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1725 |
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There
is a good COACH, with Seven ABLE HORSES going for London against the
Eleventh or Twelfth of this Month. Any has a mind to go, let
them repair WILLIAM BAILLIE, Head of Canongate, where they may be
agreed with. |
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By 1750,
there was a regular fortnightly service from Edinburgh to London.
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1750 |
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There
is as Coach and six and a close POST CHAISE will set out by the 10th
or 11th of this Instant, for London, performed by Thomas Lancashire,
at the Back of the City Guard, Edinburgh, to be spoken with at his
House. |
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Caledonian Mercury, 4 January 1750, Page 3, Col 1
[+ similar 23 March 1750, Page 3 , Col 1] |
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1750 |
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There
is as COACH and four good Horses to set out from John Somervell's
Gun-smith in Canongate for York, London or any part of that Road on
16th April inst. To be performed by John Wood. |
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Caledonian Mercury, 9 April 1750, Page 3, Col 2 |
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1750 |
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A
very good COACH and SIX able Horses to set out from Edinburgh on the
23rd or 24th instant and will take passengers either for London or
Scarborough. Places to be taken at John Somerville's Stabler
in the Canongate. |
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1750 |
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On
27th a good Coach and six able Horses to set out for London and will
continue once every month from John Paxton's at the White Lion in
the foot of Canongate. |
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Caledonian Mercury, 5 March 1750, Page 4, Col 2 |
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In 1754,
John Somervell had acquired a new coach, enabling him to complete the
journey of about 400 miles between Edinburgh and London in 10 days in
summer and 12 days in winter. How long did the journey take prior to
1754?
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1754 |
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[Dean Street, Soho to
John Somervell's Canongate - Fortnightly]
The EDINBURGH STAGE
COACH, for the better Accommodation of Passengers will be alter'd to
a new genteel Two end Glass Machine hung of Steel Springs,
exceedingly light and easy, to go in Ten days in summer and Twelve
in winter.
Perform'd if GOD permits
by your dutiful Servant HOSIA EASTGATE |
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1754 |
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A Gentleman who sets out
on Wednesday next in a POST-CHAISE for NEWCASTLE, from James Boyd's
stabler in Canongate will be glad of a Companion. |
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Caledonian Mercury - 24 June 1854 |
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In 1780,
coaches ran daily between Edinburgh and London. The cost of the
journey was £4 17 0, with additional costs for extra luggage.
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1780 |
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The EDINBURGH and LONDON
DILIGENCE,
By Berwick upon
Tweed, Newcastle and York, and from London to Edinburgh by the same
road,
Sets out every morning,
at six o'clock precisely (Sundays excepted), from Duncan McFarlane's
Foot of the Pleasance, Mr Redpath's, the Red Lion, Berwick upon
Tweed, ... [other stops named] ... carries three inside
passengers, each to pay as under:
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From Edinburgh to
Newcastle |
L 1 14
0 |
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From Newcastle to
York |
1 1 0 |
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From York to
London |
2 2 0 |
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L 4
17 0 |
Passengers taken up on
the road from Edinburgh to Newcastle pay 3 1/2d per mile; from
Newcastle to London 3d per mile. To be allowed 14 lib luggage;
and all above to pay, from Edinburgh to Newcastle 2d per lib. from
Newcastle to York 1 1/2d per lib. and from York to London 3d per
lib.
The proprietors not to
be accountable for any thing above the value of 5/- ...... |
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