A panoramic view from 18th century

HE has been dubbed the Bill Bryson of the 18th century for his letters written about life in the Capital. Now the work of Edward Topham is set to be brought to life in a series of films chronicling his experiences in Georgian Edinburgh.

The Englishman, a journalist and playwright who visited Edinburgh in the autumn and winter of 1774-5, recorded his thoughts on everything from the New Town to haggis and Scottish women. Writing for his friends in London, Topham covered the sort of territory which is now common for modern day travel writers.

Now a series of six short films are to be made around the Old and New Towns with an actor playing the part of Topham.

The films are planned as part of the ongoing project by Edinburgh World Heritage, looking at life in Georgian Edinburgh and how the city changed with the building of the New Town.

Among Topham's more colourful quotes were his description of haggis, which he said looked like the "debris from a butcher's floor".

On Scottish women, he wrote: "The Scotch ladies drink more wine than an English lady could well bear; but the climate requires it." However, he was more fulsome in his praise of Edinburgh's architecture and Scots in general, whom he described as the most "agreeable" people he had met. He also liked Edinburgh's night life, in particular the oyster cellars, where men and women drank punch, ate oysters and danced.

Adam Wilkinson, director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said Topham's letters provided a "fascinating insight".

He said: "Edward Topham visited Edinburgh over the autumn and winter of 1774-5, and during his stay he wrote letters to friends in London describing his experiences. The letters now provide a fascinating insight into everyday life in Edinburgh at the end of the 1700s, covering topics as diverse as food, manners, dancing, crime and executions."

He added: "The six short videos will be filmed around the Old and New Towns, with an actor playing the part of Edward Topham against the backdrop of some of the most atmospheric locations in the World Heritage Site. To support the films, downloadable guides will also be produced with artwork to help illustrate Topham's experiences."

Earlier this year Edinburgh World Heritage launched a new self-guided trail taking visitors back in time to the 1770s, a period when the city was changing with the planning and building of the New Town.

The Georgian Bill Bryson

Topham on . . . haggis

"A dish not more remarkable or more disgusting to the palate than in appearance. I could scarcely help thinking that I had been served the debris from a butcher's floor."

Topham on . . . dancing reels

"It is a dance peculiarly adapted to the Scotch, who are little acquainted with the attitude of standing still."

Topham on . . . the New Town

"The New Town itself has been built upon one uniform plan, which is the only means of making a city beautiful.

Topham on . . . Scottish ladies

"The Scotch ladies drink more wine than an English lady could well bear; but the climate requires it."

Topham on . . . Scottish manners

"I must say, in honour of the Scotch, that I never met with a more agreeable people, with more pleasing or more insinuating manners."