Posted @withrepost • @mercattours Today marks the anniversary of the start of the Great Fire of Edinburgh in 1824. The fire broke out on the evening of the 15th November in James Kirkwood’s engraving workshop in Old Assembly Close destroying the tenements here before making its way through neighbouring buildings in only a few hours. The Tron Kirk’s steeple was set alight and the structure made of lead and wood soon crashed to the ground. Other buildings such as Parliament Hall, the Law Courts and the offices of the Edinburgh Courant newspaper were completely destroyed. The estimated value of damage comes to £200,000. Over 10 people died in the disaster and may others were injured and 500 families were homeless after the blaze. Just a few months before the world’s first municipal fire brigade was founded by James Braidwood but little did they know that the new recruits would have to face such a disaster so soon. #mercattours ___________________⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #edinburgh #scotland #royalmile #onthisday #otd #history #greatfireofedinburgh #1824 #walkingtour #historytour #ghosttour #tourguide #guide .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #thisisedinburgh #edinburghscotland #exploreedinburgh #hiddenedinburgh #discoveredinburgh #thisisscotland #scotlandisnow #historiscotland #visitscotland #scottishhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/B44yMdEFf_s/?igshid=1kvuuejks374e
