Gardner's Crescent
In 1821 a William Gardner WS bought the feu of the land and house called Gardner's Hall owned previously by the Society and Fraternity of Gardeners, founded in 1722. William Gardner demolished the house situated at the north end of the modern street and on its grounds had built the Crescent in 1822.
Gillespie Crescent, Place, Street
Named after James Gillespie who owned a Snuff Mill near Colinton at whose bequest was built Gillespie's Hospital in the grounds of Wright's Houses. The Crescent was built at the end of the 19th century.
The Royal Blind Asylum Workshops occupied the old Gillespie School opposite the Crescent from 1925. Until the Second World War the workforce was engaged in traditional handicrafts, but the work became more mechanised, making bedding and other wire work goods as well. During the 1950s and 1960s their products became less competitive in the market and working conditions were severely criticised by the National League for the Blind. It was not until 1973 that the workshop moved to modern premises in Craigmillar. The administration building remains on the grounds.
Gilmore Place (Upper & Lower), Lane, Park, Upper Gilmore Terrace
Gilmore Street was constructed in 1798 through property owned by Samuel Gilmore who owned a large ropemaking factory on the north side of Gilmore Place, as it became known. He also owned the mansion house called Lochrin Lodge whose entrance was on the north side of Home Street. He owned a retail outlet at 100 Grassmarket.
In St Cuthbert's Churchyard a headstone commemorating several members of the Gilmore family suggests that the name Gilmore Place refers to the family rather than one individual:
William Gilmore, rope manufacturer, Grassmarket (b 1809 – d 1864), Samuel Gilmore (d 1812) and wife Elizabeth Gibson (d 1834) – William's father and mother.
Samuel Gilmore, ropemaker (b 1739 – d 1802) – Samuel's father, David Gilmore, late ropemaker (b 1740 – d 1805) – Samuel's uncle.
Glen Street
Glen Street was built in 1870 after the last occupants of a large house and grounds, the sisters, the Misses Glen, daughter of Captain Nisbet Glen RN, who owned the property in the early 19th century. The periodical called The Builder described the tenements in 1869 as 'respectable'.
Glengyle Terrace
Probably named after Glengyle, home of the Clan McGregor. Named in honour of William and Duncan McGregor who owned the lands of Valleyfield in the mid 19th century. The street was built around 1869 on the grounds of Valleyfield House built in 1687.
Granville Terrace
Probably after 2nd Earl of Granville, Colonial Secretary 1868-1876 and Foreign Secretary in 1880.
Grindlay Street
After the brothers George and John Grindlay, Tanners, who owned the lands of Orchardfield on which the modern Street is situated. The Grindlay bequest on the sale of the lands went to the Merchant Company.
In St Cuthbert's Church a headstone reads:
Mr John Grindlay, leather merchant in Edinburgh, who, mindful of the public charities of his native town, bequeathed the residue of his property equally to the Royal Infirmary, James Gillespie and the Orphan Hospitals of Edinburgh. Born 16 January 1781, died 9 August 1857.
Grove Street, Upper Grove Place
Near the top of Brandfield Street there stood a mansion built by Baron Kennedy in the early 18th century. By 1775 it was owned by Lord Colville who renamed it 'The Grove'. The Property, which stretched from Fountainbridge to Morrison Street, was sold off into smaller areas from 1820 onwards.
As part of the Grove Street development an elaborate 'Grove Square' was planned but not realised.
Numbers 70 to 76 Grove Street were built around 1865 as a Working Men's Home which closed in 1987. The tenement was designed by Frederick Pilkington, who also designed the Barclay Church. Round the corner at 158-164 Fountainbridge the equally intriguing tenement is also his work.
Tollcross Online
