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Princes
Street was originally planned to have no buildings on its
southern side, to afford the residents a view to the castle
and the old Town.
The former site of the Nor'
Loch, was initially developed as private garden
plots but from 1876 it was designated a public park.
The Mound divides the gardens, with the east side covering
an area of 8.5 acres to Waverley Bridge, and the west side
an area of 29 acres extending to St. John's and St Cuthbert's
churches.
The location has remained largely unchanged through the years,
though in 1846 the railway was extended through the back of
the gardens, a development that was not without controversy.
Within the gardens, along the south side of Princes Street
are numerous statues and monuments. The most dominant of these
is the Scott Monument (1846).
Other notable figures, commemorated scupturally in the East
Gardens include explorer David
Livingstone (1813-73), publisher Adam
Black (1784-1874) and essayist Professor John
Wilson (1785 - 1854).
In the West Gardens are statues of poet, Allan
Ramsay (1681-1758); reformer, Thomas
Guthrie (1803-73); obstetric pioneer, James
Young Simpson (1811-70).
The Ross Fountain is
also situated here, as is the famous Floral
Clock and the Ross Bandstand which
hosts concerts during the Festival and Hogmanay celebrations.
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