Fountainbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fountainbridge |
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 Fountainbridge |
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 Fountainbridge
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| OS grid reference | NT246729 |
| Council area |
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| Lieutenancy area |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | EDINBURGH |
| Postcode district | EH3 |
| Dialling code | 0131 |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Fountainbridge is a lively area in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's located just west of the historic Old Town. The area is named after its main street, which starts at the West Port. It then continues as Dundee Street towards Gorgie and Dalry.
To the south, Fountainbridge is bordered by the end of the Union Canal. To the north, you'll find the West Approach Road. This road was built where the old Caledonian Railway used to run.
Contents
A Look Back: Fountainbridge's Story
How Fountainbridge Began
Fountainbridge started to grow in the early 1700s. A man named Alexander Brand bought land nearby and began to rent out plots for building homes. The name "Fountainbridge" comes from a bridge over a stream called the Dalry or Lochrin Burn. It was first called the "Foul Bridge," but Brand changed it to "Fountainbridge" because of a well nearby.
At first, Fountainbridge was a quiet, countryside spot. Wealthy people liked it because they could escape the crowded and unhealthy Old Town. Soon, the area was filled with large, fancy houses.
From Homes to Factories: Industrial Growth
In the 1800s, Fountainbridge changed a lot. It went from a peaceful place for rich families to Edinburgh's main industrial hub. In 1822, the Union Canal reached Fountainbridge. This canal linked Edinburgh to Falkirk, making it easy to transport goods.
The canal originally ended at two basins, Port Hopetoun and Port Hamilton. These were filled in during 1922. Now, the canal stops at Lochrin Basin. You can still see the Leamington Lift Bridge at the basin's entrance, which was put there in 1906.
Rubber and Beer: Big Businesses
In 1856, the former Castle Silk Mills in Fountainbridge became home to the North British Rubber Company. This company made Wellington boots and many other rubber products. For over a hundred years, it was one of the biggest employers in the area. During the Second World War, the rubber mills were very busy. They had 9,000 workers and operated 24 hours a day!
The company was bought by Uniroyal in 1966. The new owners started moving their operations to Newbridge, outside the city. The last part of the Castle Mills site, a hose factory, closed in 1973.
Another major employer was McEwan's, a famous brewery. Their Fountain Brewery opened here in 1856. By 1889, the brewery covered about 12 acres. McEwan's joined with Younger's in 1931 to form Scottish Brewers. This company later became Scottish & Newcastle in 1960. In 1973, they built a new, modern brewery at the old Castle Mills site. This new brewery continued to operate until 2004.
Improving Homes: Slum Clearance
By the mid-1900s, many homes in Fountainbridge and other working-class areas were in poor condition. In 1964, a political leader named Harold Wilson visited the area. He was shocked by the living conditions.
To fix this, the city council started programs to improve housing. Between 1950 and 1973, many old houses were closed or torn down. This helped to create better living spaces for the residents.
Fountainbridge Today: Modern Changes
Fountainbridge has seen a lot of new development since 1998. The Fountain Park leisure centre was built on old brewery land. This fun complex has an adventure golf course and a laser tag arena. You can also find an amusement arcade, a cinema, and ten-pin bowling. There are also many places to eat.
The old McEwan's brewery site closed in 2004. In 2012, the council bought the land. The new Boroughmuir High School opened here in 2018. Part of the old Castle Mills complex, which the brewery used as an office, is now home to the Edinburgh Printmakers. This building was beautifully renovated and opened in 2019. It's now an arts centre focused on printmaking. The rest of the site is planned for new homes, offices, and shops.
Edinburgh Quay on the Union Canal is a popular spot. It hosts the annual Edinburgh Canal Festival. Scottish Canals also offers places for people to live on houseboats as part of their "Living on Water" program.
Famous Faces from Fountainbridge
Did you know that famous actor Sean Connery was born and grew up in Fountainbridge? His old film company was even called Fountainbridge Films. The important anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass also lived nearby in Gilmore Place when he was in Scotland.
Gallery
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New student housing and public spaces by the canal
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Houseboats on the canal
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Former entrance to the Edinburgh Meat Market
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The art deco Fountainbridge Library
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The corner of Fountainbridge and Grove Street
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Castle Mills in its former derelict state
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