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05/09/2011
Between the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901, and the outbreak of the Great War on 4 August 1914, the modern world as we know it today was born.
The Edwardian era – named after Edward VII, Victoria's genial, dissolute and self-indulgent son – is often compared unfavourably with the preceding sixty years of imperial greatness and economic dominance. A period of mourning marked the early years of the new century, as many believed that an age of unsurpassed achievement and glory had died with its figurehead Queen. The expectation was that decline would follow – the country’s economy was no longer expanding at the same rate as that of its rivals, and the British Army, for so long seen as unstoppable, was losing a war against the Boer farmers of Southern Africa.
Yet, despite this pessimism, progress and change were not about to slow to a halt. Instead – and particularly for the common man – they were set to accelerate. The Edwardian era was a time of unprecedented social and political revolution in Britain. By the start of the new century, the country had reached a level of such general prosperity that, for the first time, working men and women were in a position to both argue and agitate for a share of the wealth. In Scotland, at the centre of the incredible manufacturing clamour of industrial Glasgow, a worker army was banding together as a political movement demanding votes for all men. Trade unionists and women campaigned for what they regarded as their natural rights. All demanded a radical change to society. The establishment listened, and came to accept that the future success of the nation would depend on a better educated and emancipated working class.
The period teemed with innovation, from the cinema, wireless radio and mass use of the telephone, to the invention of the turbine engine, advances in physics and the achievement of powered flight. With a new age came the freedom to explore new ideas – the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh emerged from the Arts and Crafts movement, revolutionising design and pioneering the beginnings of modernism.
The old order was slipping away. For the wealthy, the Edwardian era was characterised by the 'Golden Age' of the country house – the long weekends of parties and field sports. Rather than the preserve of the aristocracy, these trappings of privilege were enjoyed increasingly by a class of aspirational and newly affluent merchants and industrialists. Yet in a few short years, these halcyon days would give way to the sale, dispersal and destruction of many Scottish estates.
This unique and largely unseen selection of period photography, taken from the RCAHMS archives, reveals an intimate portrait of an age. From the work of famous photographers like Bedford Lemere & Co and Thomas Annan, to snapshots from private family albums, these images provide a fascinating glimpse into a remarkable period in our history.





SC 349158
View from Clyde Place, Glasgow of the Central Station Bridge during construction, September 1902 (completed 1905). This was built for the Caledonian Railway Company to their design as part of the reconstruction of the Station. An earlier bridge built also by Arrol (1875-8) for the Caledonian Railway is just visible in the centre background. Its girders and decking had to be jacked up by 3 feet in order to achieve the rail level of the new bridge
© Courtesy of HES (Sir William Arrol Collection)

SC 388566
View of the market cross from the south
© Courtesy of HES (National Art Survey of Scotland Collection)

SC 621194
The Citadel Arch, Dock Street, Edinburgh with people. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

SC 621297
View of Leith Central Station, Edinburgh, from Leith Walk, with street scene and tram advertising Cadbury's Cocoa. The station opened in 1903 and closed for regular passenger traffic in 1952. Visible is also the Queen's Hotel
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)













SC 956554
View of group outside St John the Baptist's Church, Ayr. Titled on mount: 'Mr Alexander, S Alexander with students from Ayr Academy. Before Restoration by marquis of Bute 1914'.
© RCAHMS



DP 007291
Historic photograph showing view of crowd in front of the Phipps Institute, Beauly, under construction.
© RCAHMS





SC 1013510
View of three men with bikes outside house. Inscribed beneath: 'As we started from 2 Corrennie Gardens. July 20th 1903.'
© RCAHMS

DP 007325
View of shooting party at Glen Luss. Titled: 'Glen Luss. 1904. Shooting for Astor Challenge Cup' and ‘Col. Brock, Mr Christall and Mr Lumsden’.
© RCAHMS

SC 1075692
General view of St. James Terrace, Glasgow, with large group of children outside. Titled below: ' 3 dwellings, 3 apartments, 24 dwellings, 1 apartment: 2 wash-houses containing in all 29 taps and 8 W.Cs '.
© RCAHMS

SC 1098330
View of gentleman and boy leaning on tree with a distant view of Holy Trinity Church
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)





SC 1105214
View of two people in front of Kilmuir Free Church, Skye Titled: 'Witnesses - Kilmuir'
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

SC 1105232
Side view of possible steam car with man in background PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM 71: CHURCHES COMMISSION ALBUM
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

SC 1107401
General view of South Bridge, Edinburgh, from South East showing street scene with horses and carts
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

DP 040940
Photograph of Industrial Hall building taken during the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1901.
© RCAHMS





SC 1110216
Photograph of male pupils in a woodwork class at unidentified school run by the Edinburgh Merchant Company.
© RCAHMS

SC 1110222
Photograph of female pupils in the Gymnasium of unidentified school run by the Edinburgh Merchant Company.
© Copyright: Merchant Company. Courtesy of HES.

DP 044931
View of a hunting party on The Glen estate.
© Courtesy of HES (Copies of records from The Glen, Traquair, Scottish Borders, Scotland)

SC 1120315
General view of entrance to Milne's Court, Edinburgh, on Lawnmarket elevation, with D Blake & Co and J Gilchrist Groceries & Provisions.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)





SC 1120458
General view of High Street between Canongate and North Bridge, Edinburgh showing no 153 Allan Ramsay's House, The Temperance Hotel, no 143 The Gun'Temperance and The Gun Coffee House.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)

DP 050969
Interior view of the gym at Fettes College, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (The Fettes Album)

SC 1131201
View of RCAHMS surveyors wading out to a dun in 1924, Dun Nighean Righ Lochlainn, North Uist. Research indicates that they inlcude G P H Watson (middle) with a local ghillie on the right.
© Crown Copyright: HES






SC 1140430
View of Clerical Medical & General life Assurance Society, West George Street, Glasgow. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)

SC 1141696
Interior, West End Playhouse, Glasgow. General view of the auditorium and stage in its heyday, from the Dress Circle. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)

SC 1160028
General view of building including horse and cart in foreground outside of 'D. Cameron, Groceries & Provisions, Refreshments and Wines & Spirits'. Possibly business of Duncan Cameron located near Rannoch Station or Kinloch-Rannoch.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)






DP 073482
View of Inchrye Abbey entrance with couple in automobile.
© Courtesy of HES (Inchrye Abbey album)


SC 1201784
View of construction of Thistle Chapel at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)

DP 093674
View of High Street, South Queensferry. Titled: 'South Queensferry, 'Channel Fleet visit 1907' PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.30: OLD EDINBURGH ALBUM
© RCAHMS





DP 093744
View of group of people sitting in garden. Titled: 'Aikenshaw July 1905. Miss Louise Stuart, Miss Grant, Mr Parker, Miss Parker, Francess, Mrs Jameson, Miss Davidson, Jessie, Mr W S Turnbull, Stroncher'. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.21: CYCLE TOUR ALBUM.
© RCAHMS

DP 093749
Group of 12 people outside entrance, possibly at Aikenshaw. Titled: 'S K Turnbull, A Arrol Snr, Montagu Baird, Campbell of Cambusaskin, Franklyn Baird, A Theo Arrol, Miss Wm Arrol, Baroness V Grote, Miss G Arrol, Mr Baird'.
© RCAHMS

DP 093800
View of Cornelia Craven at Balmacaan House. Titled: 'Myself' The album is titled: 'These photographs were all taken with my little Kodak. Cornelia Craven'.
© Courtesy of HES (Balmacaan Album)

DP 093893
Group of seven people at excursion Titled: 'Ms Thom, Prof. Sir A Geickie, Mrs Thom'.
© RCAHMS





DP 093897
View of fishing party. Titled: 'Inveroykel and Kyle of Sutherland'
© Courtesy of HES (Photograph Album No 16: Ewing Gilmore Album)









DP 094351
View of soldier. Titled: 'Stuart ready to start for King Edward VIIs funeral service parade'
© RCAHMS

SC 1228139
Elevated view of bridge looking NW from corner of Carlton Place/ Bridge Street, Glasgow Stamped on back: 'Sir William Arrol & Co, Ltd'
© Courtesy of HES (Sir William Arrol Collection)

DP 094929
View of Edinburgh at night Titled: 'Candlemakers Row and George IV Bridge April 1907' PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.30: OLD EDINBURGH ALBUM





DP 095463
View of a group of people at Williamwood Moss
© Courtesy of HES (Miss Pearson's Annan Album)


DP 096026
View of group having picnic. Headed paper on the album page is titled 'Achernack, Grantown-on-Spey'. Photograph titled: 'I Asher, A Henderson, T Horne, E Macpherson, B Younger, M Younger, R Bruce-Clark, H J Horne'
© Courtesy of HES






DP 096037
View of two women and a man with cameras Titled: 'A Henderson, Gladys Younger, J Henderson'
© Courtesy of HES

DP 096394
View of car
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)

DP 096395
View of man on motorcycle
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)

DP 096396
View of man in car. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO.128: MARSHALL ALBUM I
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)







DP 096794
View of a steamer in the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus swing bridge, taken from the E.
© RCAHMS






DP 096983
View of soldiers at 'Camp at Kilcreggan 1902' Titled: 'Grand tent'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097069
View of soldier at 'Camp at Kilcreggan 1902' Titled: 'Jessie Munro-Kerr (J.C.) (my sub)'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097217
View of group on sailing boat, probably 'Gadfly' Titled: 'Sunday afternoon cruise Brodick. Jack Swan, Monty Murray, Johnson family'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097264
View of woman on sailing boat, probably 'Gadfly'. Titled: 'S.M (Mrs Hoggenheimn of Park Lane)'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)





DP 097355
View from Alexandria, Egypt 1915-17 Titled: 'Higginson and Flora sur mer'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)


DP 099350
Group photograph showing five men and five ladies beside a large car, outside what appears to be a thatched striped tent. Some of them are members of the Wallace family of Duchal House.









DP 102355
View of man standing in front of Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, at the junction with North Bridge with a view of the General Post Office, and a tram [of the earlier, cable-powered or pre-electric, system].






DP 102505
Nine album photographs showing views of Edinburgh decorated for the coronation of Edward VII.






DP 102556
View of group of people outside Kilmuir Free Church, Skye
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

DP 102661
View of retort house during the construction of Granton Gasworks. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS NO.207: SCOTTISH GAS COLLECTION, GRANTON GASWORKS ALBUMS
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Gas Collection)

DP 102662
View of retort house during the construction of Granton Gasworks. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS NO.207: SCOTTISH GAS COLLECTION, GRANTON GASWORKS ALBUMS
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Gas Collection)

SC 349158
View from Clyde Place, Glasgow of the Central Station Bridge during construction, September 1902 (completed 1905). This was built for the Caledonian Railway Company to their design as part of the reconstruction of the Station. An earlier bridge built also by Arrol (1875-8) for the Caledonian Railway is just visible in the centre background. Its girders and decking had to be jacked up by 3 feet in order to achieve the rail level of the new bridge
© Courtesy of HES (Sir William Arrol Collection)

SC 388566
View of the market cross from the south
© Courtesy of HES (National Art Survey of Scotland Collection)

SC 621194
The Citadel Arch, Dock Street, Edinburgh with people. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

SC 621297
View of Leith Central Station, Edinburgh, from Leith Walk, with street scene and tram advertising Cadbury's Cocoa. The station opened in 1903 and closed for regular passenger traffic in 1952. Visible is also the Queen's Hotel
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

SC 717164
Interior-general view of roof in Thistle Chapel, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)

SC 866320
View of members of the Mather family with instruments, 16 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.
© RCAHMS

SC 956548
General view of people outside cottages at Troon, South Ayrshire, with thatched cottage in foreground.
© RCAHMS

SC 956554
View of group outside St John the Baptist's Church, Ayr. Titled on mount: 'Mr Alexander, S Alexander with students from Ayr Academy. Before Restoration by marquis of Bute 1914'.
© RCAHMS

DP 007291
Historic photograph showing view of crowd in front of the Phipps Institute, Beauly, under construction.
© RCAHMS

SC 1013510
View of three men with bikes outside house. Inscribed beneath: 'As we started from 2 Corrennie Gardens. July 20th 1903.'
© RCAHMS

DP 007325
View of shooting party at Glen Luss. Titled: 'Glen Luss. 1904. Shooting for Astor Challenge Cup' and ‘Col. Brock, Mr Christall and Mr Lumsden’.
© RCAHMS

SC 1075692
General view of St. James Terrace, Glasgow, with large group of children outside. Titled below: ' 3 dwellings, 3 apartments, 24 dwellings, 1 apartment: 2 wash-houses containing in all 29 taps and 8 W.Cs '.
© RCAHMS

SC 1098330
View of gentleman and boy leaning on tree with a distant view of Holy Trinity Church
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

SC 1105214
View of two people in front of Kilmuir Free Church, Skye Titled: 'Witnesses - Kilmuir'
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

SC 1105232
Side view of possible steam car with man in background PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM 71: CHURCHES COMMISSION ALBUM
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

SC 1107401
General view of South Bridge, Edinburgh, from South East showing street scene with horses and carts
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

DP 040940
Photograph of Industrial Hall building taken during the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1901.
© RCAHMS

SC 1110216
Photograph of male pupils in a woodwork class at unidentified school run by the Edinburgh Merchant Company.
© RCAHMS

SC 1110222
Photograph of female pupils in the Gymnasium of unidentified school run by the Edinburgh Merchant Company.
© Copyright: Merchant Company. Courtesy of HES.

DP 044931
View of a hunting party on The Glen estate.
© Courtesy of HES (Copies of records from The Glen, Traquair, Scottish Borders, Scotland)

SC 1120315
General view of entrance to Milne's Court, Edinburgh, on Lawnmarket elevation, with D Blake & Co and J Gilchrist Groceries & Provisions.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

SC 1120458
General view of High Street between Canongate and North Bridge, Edinburgh showing no 153 Allan Ramsay's House, The Temperance Hotel, no 143 The Gun'Temperance and The Gun Coffee House.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)

DP 050969
Interior view of the gym at Fettes College, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (The Fettes Album)

SC 1131201
View of RCAHMS surveyors wading out to a dun in 1924, Dun Nighean Righ Lochlainn, North Uist. Research indicates that they inlcude G P H Watson (middle) with a local ghillie on the right.
© Crown Copyright: HES

SC 1140430
View of Clerical Medical & General life Assurance Society, West George Street, Glasgow. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)

SC 1141696
Interior, West End Playhouse, Glasgow. General view of the auditorium and stage in its heyday, from the Dress Circle. Since demolished.
© Courtesy of HES (Bedford Lemere and Company Collection)

SC 1160028
General view of building including horse and cart in foreground outside of 'D. Cameron, Groceries & Provisions, Refreshments and Wines & Spirits'. Possibly business of Duncan Cameron located near Rannoch Station or Kinloch-Rannoch.
© Courtesy of HES (Francis M Chrystal Collection)

DP 073482
View of Inchrye Abbey entrance with couple in automobile.
© Courtesy of HES (Inchrye Abbey album)

SC 1201784
View of construction of Thistle Chapel at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Colorfoto Collection)

DP 093674
View of High Street, South Queensferry. Titled: 'South Queensferry, 'Channel Fleet visit 1907' PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.30: OLD EDINBURGH ALBUM
© RCAHMS

DP 093744
View of group of people sitting in garden. Titled: 'Aikenshaw July 1905. Miss Louise Stuart, Miss Grant, Mr Parker, Miss Parker, Francess, Mrs Jameson, Miss Davidson, Jessie, Mr W S Turnbull, Stroncher'. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.21: CYCLE TOUR ALBUM.
© RCAHMS

DP 093749
Group of 12 people outside entrance, possibly at Aikenshaw. Titled: 'S K Turnbull, A Arrol Snr, Montagu Baird, Campbell of Cambusaskin, Franklyn Baird, A Theo Arrol, Miss Wm Arrol, Baroness V Grote, Miss G Arrol, Mr Baird'.
© RCAHMS

DP 093800
View of Cornelia Craven at Balmacaan House. Titled: 'Myself' The album is titled: 'These photographs were all taken with my little Kodak. Cornelia Craven'.
© Courtesy of HES (Balmacaan Album)

DP 093893
Group of seven people at excursion Titled: 'Ms Thom, Prof. Sir A Geickie, Mrs Thom'.
© RCAHMS

DP 093897
View of fishing party. Titled: 'Inveroykel and Kyle of Sutherland'
© Courtesy of HES (Photograph Album No 16: Ewing Gilmore Album)

DP 094351
View of soldier. Titled: 'Stuart ready to start for King Edward VIIs funeral service parade'
© RCAHMS

SC 1228139
Elevated view of bridge looking NW from corner of Carlton Place/ Bridge Street, Glasgow Stamped on back: 'Sir William Arrol & Co, Ltd'
© Courtesy of HES (Sir William Arrol Collection)

DP 094929
View of Edinburgh at night Titled: 'Candlemakers Row and George IV Bridge April 1907' PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM No.30: OLD EDINBURGH ALBUM

DP 095463
View of a group of people at Williamwood Moss
© Courtesy of HES (Miss Pearson's Annan Album)

DP 096026
View of group having picnic. Headed paper on the album page is titled 'Achernack, Grantown-on-Spey'. Photograph titled: 'I Asher, A Henderson, T Horne, E Macpherson, B Younger, M Younger, R Bruce-Clark, H J Horne'
© Courtesy of HES

DP 096037
View of two women and a man with cameras Titled: 'A Henderson, Gladys Younger, J Henderson'
© Courtesy of HES

DP 096394
View of car
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)

DP 096395
View of man on motorcycle
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)

DP 096396
View of man in car. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM NO.128: MARSHALL ALBUM I
© Courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland (Marshall Family Photographs Albums Collection)

DP 096794
View of a steamer in the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus swing bridge, taken from the E.
© RCAHMS

DP 096983
View of soldiers at 'Camp at Kilcreggan 1902' Titled: 'Grand tent'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097069
View of soldier at 'Camp at Kilcreggan 1902' Titled: 'Jessie Munro-Kerr (J.C.) (my sub)'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097217
View of group on sailing boat, probably 'Gadfly' Titled: 'Sunday afternoon cruise Brodick. Jack Swan, Monty Murray, Johnson family'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097264
View of woman on sailing boat, probably 'Gadfly'. Titled: 'S.M (Mrs Hoggenheimn of Park Lane)'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 097355
View from Alexandria, Egypt 1915-17 Titled: 'Higginson and Flora sur mer'
© Courtesy of HES (L D Henderson's Album)

DP 099350
Group photograph showing five men and five ladies beside a large car, outside what appears to be a thatched striped tent. Some of them are members of the Wallace family of Duchal House.

DP 102355
View of man standing in front of Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, at the junction with North Bridge with a view of the General Post Office, and a tram [of the earlier, cable-powered or pre-electric, system].

DP 102505
Nine album photographs showing views of Edinburgh decorated for the coronation of Edward VII.

DP 102556
View of group of people outside Kilmuir Free Church, Skye
© Courtesy of HES (Churches Commission Album)

DP 102661
View of retort house during the construction of Granton Gasworks. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS NO.207: SCOTTISH GAS COLLECTION, GRANTON GASWORKS ALBUMS
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Gas Collection)

DP 102662
View of retort house during the construction of Granton Gasworks. PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS NO.207: SCOTTISH GAS COLLECTION, GRANTON GASWORKS ALBUMS
© Courtesy of HES (Scottish Gas Collection)