Everything about Marchmont totally explained
Marchmont is a mainly residential area of
Edinburgh,
Scotland.
Location
Marchmont is roughly a mile to the south of the
Old Town, separated from it by
The Meadows and
Bruntsfield Links. To the west it's bounded by
Bruntsfield; to the south-southwest by
Greenhill and then
Morningside; to the south-southeast by
The Grange; and to the east by
Sciennes.
History
The whole area was a planned development, some of it being on what was previously agricultural land known as the
Warrender Park — that name now being retained in such areas as Warrender Park Crescent, Road and Terrace. The name Marchmont was originally only to refer to Marchmont Crescent, Road and Street, but is now used for the whole area. The buildings are almost exclusively four-storey
tenements. The earlier
Victorian buildings are mostly pink
sandstone in a form of
Scottish baronial style, by architects such as
Edward Calvert, while the later Victorian and
Edwardian buildings are often in blonde sandstone, and in a plainer, more regular style.
Originally, the area wasn't allowed to have any premises selling alcohol, and although that's no longer the case, there are only a small number of licensed premises. As of early 2007, the Earl of Marchmont has closed for business, but the Argyle Bar and the Hyde are still open for business. There are also a number of
off-licensed shops.
Today
Due to its proximity to the city centre, the presence of local amenities, and generally being considered a pleasant area, it's considered a fairly desirable location to live in. This is reflected in high house prices, though these are now typical of most of Edinburgh. It is highly popular with students, with both
Edinburgh University and
Napier University within easy walking distance. There is a certain friction between permanent residents and temporary ones (many of whom are students), with the
Marchmont Action Group Promoting Initiatives for the Environment (MAGPIE) unsuccessfully
petitioning the
Scottish Parliament to impose quotas on shared accommodation.
(External Link
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The area is home to the mosaic-tiled
B-listed Warrender Swimming Baths, opened in 1887 and recently restored.
James Gillespie's High School has been in its present building in Marchmont since the 1960s. Local churches include St. Catherine's-Argyle and Marchmont St. Giles — both
Church of Scotland. The latter hosts various community activities including a
playgroup.
Marchmont in fiction
Arden Street is home to
Ian Rankin's fictional
Detective Inspector John Rebus. (The author himself lives in nearby
Merchiston.)
The once
James Gillespie's School for Girls on Warrender Park Terrace was the school attended by
Muriel Spark, and the lead character (and school) in her book,
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie are said to be very closely based on her experiences there.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Marchmont'.
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