Marchmont

This article is about the area of Edinburgh. Marchmont is also the title of a novel published in 1796 by Charlotte Smith.

Marchmont is a mainly residential area of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Contents

1 Location 2 History 3 Today 4 Marchmont in fiction

Location

Marchmont is roughly a mile to the south of the Old Town, separated from it by The Meadows and Bruntsfield links. To the west it is bound by Bruntsfield, to the south by The Grange , and Sciennes to the East.

History

The whole area was a planned development, some of it being on what was previously agricultural land known as the Warrender Park - that name now being retained in such areas as Warrender Park Crescent, Road and Terrace. The name Marchmont was originally only to refer to Marchmont Crescent, Road and Street, but now refers to the whole area. The buildings are almost exclusively 4-storey tenement buildings. The earlier Victorian buildings are mostly pink sandstone in a revival form of the Scottish vernacular, while the later Edwardian buildings are blonde sandstone, and in a much more refined, regular style.

Originally, the area was not allowed to have any places selling alcohol, and although that has since stopped being the case, it contains unusually few pubs.

Today

Due to its proximity to the city centre, the presence of local amenities, and generally being considered a pleasant area, it is still a desirable location to live in, though not as desirable as the New Town. This is reflected in the high house prices. It is also popular with students, with both Edinburgh University and Napier University being within easy walking distance. There is a certain friction between permanent residents and students, with the Marchmont Action Group Promoting Initiatives for the Environment (MAGIPE) unsuccessfully petitioning the Scottish Parliament to impose quotas on shared accommodations (HMOs).

It is also home to Marchmont Cricket Club .

Marchmont in fiction

Arden Street is home to Ian Rankin's fictional detective John Rebus.

The then James Gillespie's School for Girls on Warrender Park Terrace was the school attended by Muriel Spark, and the school and lead character in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie are said to be very closely based on her experieces there.