In 19th century Glasgow became one of the largest cities in the world, and known as “the Second City of the Empire” after London. After 1860 the Clydeside shipyards specialized in steamships made of iron (after 1870, made of steel), which rapidly replaced the wooden sailing vessels of both the merchant fleets and the battle fleets of the world.
It became the world’s pre-eminent shipbuilding centre. The industrial developments, while they brought work and wealth, were so rapid that housing, town-planning, and provision for public health did not keep pace with them, and for a time living conditions in some of the towns and cities were notoriously bad, with overcrowding, high infant mortality, and growing rates of tuberculosis.
Here is an rare vintage photo collection that shows the capital and several cities, also islands and towns of Scotland from the 1840s to 1880s.
(Photos from National Galleries of Scotland Commons)
It became the world’s pre-eminent shipbuilding centre. The industrial developments, while they brought work and wealth, were so rapid that housing, town-planning, and provision for public health did not keep pace with them, and for a time living conditions in some of the towns and cities were notoriously bad, with overcrowding, high infant mortality, and growing rates of tuberculosis.
Here is an rare vintage photo collection that shows the capital and several cities, also islands and towns of Scotland from the 1840s to 1880s.
Jamaica Street, Glasgow, ca. 1880s |
Glasgow Exhibition, 1888 |
Grassmarket, Edinburgh, 1860 |
Leith Pier in Edinburgh, 1870 |
Monument in Glasgow Necropolis, 1852 |
Old Town Edinburgh from the Calton Hill, ca. 1870s |
Piper and drummer of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, Edinburgh Castle, 1846 |
Princes Street, the Scott Monument and the Royal Institution, Edinburgh, 1858 |
Rosslyn Chapel Apprentice Pillar, Edinburgh, 1860 |
Saltmarket and streets of Glasgow, 1868-71 |
Saltmarket from Bridgegate, Glasgow, 1868-71 |
Skating, St Margaret's Loch, Edinburgh, ca. 1870s |
St Cuthbert's Church, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, 1882 |
The Cowgate arch of George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, 1860 |
The Cowgate, Edinburgh, 1871 |
The Duchray Valley, looking North from South end of the Syphon Pipes, 1877 |
The National Gallery and Royal Institution (Royal Scottish Academy), Edinburgh, 1858 |
The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, 1845 |
Tolbooth and Canongate, Edinburgh, ca. 1870s |
Trongate from Tron Steeple, Glasgow, 1868-71 |
William Ewart Gladstoneat the Edinburgh Exhibition, 1884 |
92nd Gordon Highlanders at Edinburgh Castle, April 1846 |
Cardinal Beaton's House, the Cowgate, Edinburgh, 1868 |
Close No. 101 High Street, Glasgow, 1868-71 |
Edinburgh from the castle, 1850 |
Castle Street, Dundee, 1876 |
Children at Auchmithie, 1881 |
Girl with basket sitting on shore in front of boat, Auchmithie, 1881 |
Interior of the Drawing Room, Mar Lodge, 1863 |
Iona, 1 September 1856 |
Loch Earn, 1864 |
Melrose Abbey, 1856 |
Queen Victoria on 'Fyvie' with John Brown at Balmoral, 1863 |
St Andrews, 1842 |
Staffa near Fingal's Cave, 1850 |
Woman leaning against boat, Auchmithie, 1881 |
(Photos from National Galleries of Scotland Commons)