History of Public Health Tour
This tour will offer a glimpse into the public health issues that arose in Edinburgh’s Old Town from overcrowding, poverty, and civic negligence, and review some of the innovative measures developed in the 19th century by city administrators, public health officials, social reformers, and philanthropists to remedy them.
 | Royal Mile The stretch of the Royal Mile running from Castle Hill to Blackfriars Street is the oldest part of Edinburgh. Read more… |
 | The Museum of Edinburgh Hunty House The Museum of Edinburgh is dedicated to telling the history of the city through its unique collection of objects. Read more… |
 | The Statue of Robert Ferguson The famous Scottish poet Robert Ferguson (1750-1774) died tragically when he was just 24 years old. Read more… |
 | Chessel’s Court The High Street was the main public space and spine of the original town structure, with enclosures (‘closes’) Read more… |
 | 2 St Mary`s Street 2 St Mary’s Street was the first building erected under the 1867 Edinburgh Improvement Act. Read more… |
 | The Netherbrow Wellhead In 1681, water was brought in by a ‘leaden pipe’ from the burns south of the town to a reservoir on Castle Hill. Read more… |
 | 45 Blackfriars Street Struck by the mid-19th-century potato famine, impoverished rural workers from Ireland Read more… |
 | ‘Heave Awa Hoose’ Population growth in the area within the medieval burgh wall, required the city to expand vertically. Read more… |
 | Elsie Inglis Hospice The Elsie Inglis Hospice was a maternity hospital originally named simply, “The Hospice.” Read more… |
 | Plaque for Sophia Jex-Blake Sophia Jex-Blake (1840-1912) became Scotland’s first female doctor. Read more… |
 | North Loch and the Scott Monument The Nor’ Loch was drained between 1813 and 1820 to become Princes Street gardens. Read more… |
 | Victoria Dispensary Tuberculosis, or consumption, has long been a major public health issue. Read more… |
 | The Usher Institute, Old Medical School The Usher Institute, originally called the John Usher Institute of Public Health, opened in 1902. Read more… |
 | The original site of the Usher Institute 102 Warrender Park Road was home to the Usher Institute from its opening in 1902 until its move in 1986. Read more… |