Princes Street was part of the original Edinburgh New Town designed by James Craig in 1767 and was originally intended to be a residential street.
Named after the sons of King George III, it wasn’t the desirable area it is today – the proximity of the recently-drained Nor’ Loch, that took up much of the area where Princes Street Gardens is today, meant it was a initially a fairly smelly and dirty part of town.
It wasn’t until Victorian times that shops, hotels and businesses started to move in and some of the most recognisable landmarks were added, including the Debenhams building that was built in 1884 as a Conservative Club and the former Jenners department store, built in 1895.
By the time of the 1950s and 1960s it was very much the place to be seen – and to shop – and was also used for an array of colourful marches and processions.
Here are 25 pictures to take you back to those days.
21. Are you dancing?
The Ross Bandstand, in Princes Street Gardens, was used for large Scottish Country Dancing events. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
22. Watching the shows
Another picture of the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, this time in July 1956 when hundreds of holiday-makers were enjoying watching a dance show. Photo: Unknown
23. Station to station
In March 1959 there was still a railway station at the west end of Princes Street (known as Princes Street, or Caledonian, Station). Hibs fans are pictured queuing up for a special train to Glasgow in March 1959 to see their team lose 2-1 to Third Lanark in the Scottish Cup. Photo: Unknown
24. Bargain hunters
Hundreds of shoppers are pictured queuing up on Princes Street for the annual Darlings sale in July 1963. Photo: Unknown