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.
13. In demand
In May 1964 every child in Edinburgh wanted to get their hands on a 'gonk' - the hottest toy in town. Edinburgh Evening News and Dispatch reporter John Gibson came upon one at a bus stop in Princes Street. Photo: Unknown
14. Special presentation
Members of the US Air Force, stationed at Kirknewton, are pictured presenting a Princes Street Gardens park bench to Edinburgh Corporation, represented by Lord Provost Brechin, in 1966. Photo: Stan Warburton
15. Highlights
In July 1966, the Edinburgh Corporation tasked lighting engineers with installing floodlighting equipment on the Scott Monument on Princes Street. Photo: Alan Ledgerwoof
16. Festival time
In the 1960s Edinburgh Festival performers would parade along Princes Street. This picture was taken in 1962 and shows members of the cast of 'The Doctor and the Devils' at the Assembly Hall in a handsome Gilby coach-and-four horse drawn carriage. Photo: TSPL