Although Glasgow and the west of Scotland was full of them, red sandstone architecture was quite rare in the Capital, as the nearest quarries were located over a hundred kilometres away in the south of Scotland.
That all changed with the expansion of the country’s railway network in the 1890s, which allowed for the transportation of huge quantities of quarried stone from sites in Dumfries and Annan at an affordable cost.
As a result, by the end of the century, Edinburgh would have plenty of red sandstone buildings – among them the Caledonian Hotel, the King’s Theatre, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and Lauriston fire station.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 11 stunning red sandstone buildings in Edinburgh.
9. Tiles bar and cafe (1895)
Opened as the Prudential Assurance building in 1895, this fine piece of architecture by Alfred Waterhouse occupies the southeast corner of St Andrew Square. Photo: TSPL
10. Cluny Centre (1892)
Designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the Cluny Centre of Morningside Parish Church is just one of many red sandstone churches in Edinburgh. Photo: TSPL
11. South Morningside Primary School (1892)
A number of schools in Edinburgh are dressed in red sandstone, including the alma mater of Maisie from Morningside: South Morningside Primary School. Photo: TSPL