Thomas Vernon Begbie, the pioneering Edinburgh photographer, produced over 400 glass plate negatives of Scotland's capital city from the late 1850s onwards when photography was still in its infancy.
The astonishing collection, which includes a large variety of stereo views taken all over Auld Reekie, was discovered in a house in St James’ Square in 1950, where Begbie was born 110 years earlier. Had Begbie’s cache of images not been uncovered, it’s likely they would have been destroyed a decade later when three sides of St James’ Square were demolished.
Begbie’s images were later gifted to the City of Edinburgh by Stanley Cavaye, and the collection of glass negatives are currently held at the City Art Centre on Market Street.
Take a look through our picture gallery for a journey back in time – and let us know your thoughts in the comments section before you go.
1. St Stephen Church
Howe Street looking towards St Stephen Church in the New Town. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
2. Waverley Bridge
View of Waverley Bridge looking towards Princes Street and showing construction works for Cockburn Street in foreground. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
3. Leith Shore
Leith Shore showing the Signal Tower at the corner of Tower Street. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections
4. Dean Village
The Water of Leith at Dean Village. Photo: The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie/Capital Collections