Shandon, Edinburgh facts for kids
Shandon is a neighborhood in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's about three miles west of the city center. Shandon is bordered by Slateford Road to the north and Harrison Road to the east. The Union Canal is to its south, and railway lines are to its west.
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What's in a Name?
The name Shandon might come from another place called Shandon near Helensburgh. A famous engineer named Robert Napier (1791–1876) built a large house there in 1851. It's not clear if there's a direct link between this Napier family and the Napier family who owned the land where Edinburgh's Shandon streets were built.
Shandon's Special Area
Shandon has a special part called the Shandon Conservation Area. This area was set aside on March 29, 1996. A conservation area helps protect buildings and places that are important to history.
This special area is bordered by railway lines and streets like Ashley Terrace. It has two main parts. These parts are separated by an old railway line. To the south, you'll find the 'Shaftesbury Park' houses. These were built between 1883 and 1904. To the north, there's a smaller group of houses built from 1880 to 1883.
How Shandon's Houses Began
Old maps show that the land where Shandon is now used to be open farmland. From 1880 to 1883, streets like Shandon Crescent and Shandon Road were built. This area had bigger houses, including some large detached homes. These houses were built for families who were part of the lower middle class.
In 1883, a 10-acre piece of land was bought by the Edinburgh Co-Operative Building Company (ECBC). This land was known as Shaftesbury Park. Between 1883 and 1904, the ECBC built 330 houses in Shaftesbury Park. These homes were also for lower-middle-class families.
In the mid-1800s, people in Scotland wanted new types of housing. They wanted homes that were different from the usual tenement buildings. They aimed to give every family their own front door and a garden. This idea led to the creation of "colony-type" housing. The ECBC helped many people buy their own homes. They made housing more affordable and helped people get mortgages.
The Electrical Exhibition of 1890
In 1890, a huge exhibition opened in Shandon. It was built on land between a railway line and the Union Canal. This event was mainly to show off new ideas in electrical science. It also included mechanical science and fine arts.
Many people came to see the exhibition. Special temporary train stations were even opened nearby. Trains ran every half-hour from Princes Street to the exhibition. The main building was very large, about 700 feet long and 250 feet wide. It had nine different courts and a concert hall that could hold 3,000 people. The buildings cost £50,000 and were lit up with electricity.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh opened the exhibition. The streets leading to the exhibition were decorated with flags and banners. It was a very festive scene. During the exhibition, visitors could even take electric boats on the Union Canal.
St Michael's Parish Church
St Michael's Parish Church is a large church on Slateford Road. It was built in the Early English style. The church was designed by Mr. John Honeyman. It opened for public worship on December 2, 1883. It replaced an older "Iron Church" that served the local areas. You can find more information about the church online here.
Harrison Park
Harrison Park is a green space next to the Union Canal. The canal is important for local wildlife. A group called "Friends of Harrison Park" works with Edinburgh Council to look after the park. They have improved paths and added new plants. This makes Harrison Park a lovely place for the community.
The eastern part of the park was first managed by Edinburgh Corporation in 1886. More land was added in 1902 for a bowling green and playground. Harrison Road divides the park into two parts. The western part of the park was bought in 1930. You can learn more about the park on the Friends of Harrison Park website.
Union Canal
The Union Canal forms the southern border of Shandon. The Edinburgh Canal Society has its main base at Ashley Terrace Boathouse, near Lockhart Bridge.
Caledonian Brewery
The Caledonian Brewery is located on Slateford Road, to the north of Shandon. It was founded in 1869 and is the only one of Edinburgh's old breweries still operating today.
