THE Old Town Community Council has announced that a new street will be created in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
It is set to begin just off Jeffrey Street, and will weave through existing buildings before popping up at Chalmers Close.
The area is currently used for multiple hotels, and is just off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.
Decisions are being made as to the name of the street, with community councillors considering the history of the area and its proximity to the nearby Trinity Apse founded by Queen Mary of Guelders.
Edinburgh Old Town Community Council said on social media yesterday: “A new street is popping up off Jeffrey’s Street in the Old Town.
“But what do you want it called?
“More info attached.”
They also shared information given by City of Edinburgh Council, who state that the provisional name for the street is “Guelders” after Mary of Guelders who was queen consort to King James II and ruled from 1460 to 1463.
During this time, she founded the Trinity College Church and Hospital, which once stood near Calton Hill, between Leith Wynd and the Nor’ Loch and was founded in James’ memory.
Neither places exist anymore, with the man-made Nor’ Loch being drained during the 19th century, now occupied by Princes Street Gardens.
The hospital helped many before being demolished to make way for Waverley Station and its accompanying railway, and was built nearby as the Trinity Apse, which currently lies on Chalmers Close.
For this reason, the name “Guelders” has been proposed for the street, to honour the queen and her charitable contributions to the city, which continued long after her husband died.
The council have confirmed that the Street Naming team are always happy to receive suggestions for potential names that meet the relevant criteria and are particularly in need of new proposals for the west of Edinburgh where there has been significant development recently, with more planned for the future.
They can be contacted by email to [email protected], but names must meet certain criteria pertaining to Edinburgh’s history and cannot be named after living people.