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.
17. Feeling the heat
Edinburgh has a heatwave in July 1962, allowing children to enjoy some fun in the sun in Princes Street Gardens. Photo: Unknown
18. Step in time
More Edinburgh International Festival fun, this time in August 1966 when crowds gathered to watch the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band as it marched along Princes Street. Photo: Dick Ewart
19. Prize winners
Girls from Stewarts Hair Salon in Princes Street are pictured posing for the cameras after winning the Evening News & Dispatch 'Charm Challenge' in 1966. Photo: Joe Steele
20. Reporting for duty
In the 1960s the police would hold regular recruitment drives on Princes Street and in Princes Street Gardens. Little Angus McPherson is pictured talking to a London Metropolitan Police officer at such an event. Photo: Joe Steele