West End walk through history

A new series of walking tours focusing on the stories of people who lived in the New Town and West End has been launched in collaboration with Edinburgh

World Heritage (EWH).

The West End Stories Walking Tour runs until 13 September.

Blue Badge Tourist Guide Jane Roy created the tour designed to encourage more people to explore the area's historic streets.

“Our tours will include some of the areas covered by the trail but it goes beyond it and we have uncovered even more fascinating stories,” she said.

“I think the West End tends to be overlooked and there is a wealth of history and heritage. The people who lived here were quite amazing and they include Queen Victoria’s surgeon, Joseph Bell, the real-life inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes; antiseptic surgery pioneer Joseph Lister; innovative 19th century doctor and suffragist Elsie Inglis; Scottish Colourist painter Francis Cadell; women’s higher education campaigner Christian Wright Guthrie; and children’s literature writer Catherine Sinclair.”

Nick Hotham of EWH said: “The streets and buildings of the New Town and West End of Edinburgh are not only among the most beautiful and elegant urban environments in Britain, but also hold many fascinating stories of the great men and women that made their homes here during more than 200 years of history.

“We’re delighted to see these new tours now being offered to the public, and we hope that many residents of the city will take part.”

For every ticket sold £1 will be donated to EWH to help in conserving Edinburgh’s historic buildings and developing improvements to the public realm.

Jane said the quiet, wide streets in the area were ideal for guiding in times where social distancing is essential. The maximum group size is eight people. Participants are invited to wear face coverings.

Most Scottish Tour Guides Association (STGA) guides are usually away on extended tours of Scotland during summer. Winter tours run by the branch - Georgian Shadows and 101 Objects - which ran in 2017 and 2018 respectively were a success.

“The Georgian Shadows and 101 Objects tours attracted many local people and we are hoping West End Stories will do the same,” said Jane.

The walking tours, which cost £12.45 per person, will begin in Charlotte Square and last 90 minutes. However, all people taking part must book in advance.

Tickets on Eventbrite.