Edinburgh has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of a settlement in the Cramond area from around 8500 BC.
The city’s name comes from ‘Eidyn’, the name for the region in Cumbric – the Brittonic language spoken in the Northern England and Lowland Scotland in the Middle Ages.
At this time a stronghold on Castle Rock was called Din Eidyn, literally meaning ‘the hillfort of Eidyn’. As the Scots language evolved, the Din was replaced by ‘burh’, creating Edinburgh.
And there are plenty more clues to the Capital’s complex past in the names of the streets, roads, and lanes that make up the city, all of which come from a multitude of languages, backgrounds and people.
The name Morningside is thought to date back to the 17th century and was the name of a large estate, with the moniker simply meaning ‘morning slope’.
Here are the stories behind 10 of the road names in the neighbourhood and the surrounding areas.
5. Ethel Terrace
Ethel Terrace was part of a residential building development carried out by the Scottish Heritage Company in the late 19th century. The road was named after Ethel Clarke - the daughter of the builder. Photo: Google Maps
6. Millar Crescent
Millar Crescent is named after James Millar, who began construction of the road as part of his redevelopment of the site of the East House of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum which had recently closed in 1894. Photo: Google Maps
7. Springvalley Gardens
Springvalley was the name given to a villa built at the end of west end of Cuddy Street in the first half of the 19th century. Maps at the time show that there was a dip in the garden containing a water supply - or spring - hence the name. Photo: Google Maps
8. Albert Terrace
Albert Terrace was the name given to a terrace of houses on the then Dow Loan to commemorate Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, who died a year before it was completed in 1862. By the late 19th century it had become used for the entire street. Photo: Google Maps