What do you think?
Rate this book
Edinburgh
"Mr. George Scott-Moncrieff's Edinburgh is an exceedingly sensitive and competent survey of the history of Scotland's capital city from mediæval times to the present day....This intensely readable book is beautifully produced and illustrated with 114 paintings, engravings and photographs. It is an ideal guide and handbook for visitors...."
-Maurice Lindsay in "The Spectator".
"Mr. Scott-Moncrieff mixes factual and philosophical guidance in ideal proportions and throws in just enough of personal predilection and prejudice to give the book an additional autobiographical interest....The illustrations and maps are as good as the text. Mr. Robert M. Adam's photographs, in particular, do full justice to a beautiful city and a beautiful book.
-"Punch".
"I seriously believe that this beautifully produced Batsford book is in its way a minor an indispensable book for those who wish to write or know about Edinburgh."
-Moray McLaren in "The Glasgow Herald".
"Mr. Scott-Moncrieff, at once a lover and a discerning critic of Edinburgh, has written a sincere and companionable book. The illustrations are highly interesting...."
-John Summerson in "The Sunday Times".
"The numerous illustrations, a rich variety of photographs, engravings, colour-prints and maps, are usually complete and evocative of atmosphere. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and this is, in every detail, a beautiful book on which author and publisher have good reason to congratulate themselves."
-"Birmingham Post".
-Maurice Lindsay in "The Spectator".
"Mr. Scott-Moncrieff mixes factual and philosophical guidance in ideal proportions and throws in just enough of personal predilection and prejudice to give the book an additional autobiographical interest....The illustrations and maps are as good as the text. Mr. Robert M. Adam's photographs, in particular, do full justice to a beautiful city and a beautiful book.
-"Punch".
"I seriously believe that this beautifully produced Batsford book is in its way a minor an indispensable book for those who wish to write or know about Edinburgh."
-Moray McLaren in "The Glasgow Herald".
"Mr. Scott-Moncrieff, at once a lover and a discerning critic of Edinburgh, has written a sincere and companionable book. The illustrations are highly interesting...."
-John Summerson in "The Sunday Times".
"The numerous illustrations, a rich variety of photographs, engravings, colour-prints and maps, are usually complete and evocative of atmosphere. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and this is, in every detail, a beautiful book on which author and publisher have good reason to congratulate themselves."
-"Birmingham Post".
- GenresScotland
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
11 people want to read
About the author
George Scott-Moncrieff
32 books1 followerGeorge Scott-Moncrieff was a Scottish novelist, playwright, poet, journalist, editor, and author of several well-known books on Scotland. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Aldenham School in Hertfordshire, England. He coined the term 'Balmorality' to describe the cultural manifestations of Scotland's accommodation with the British Empire.
His first novel Café Bar was published in 1932. He married his first wife Ann Shearer in 1936, having met her in London where they both worked as journalists. Under her influence he converted from Episcopalianism to Catholicism. He lived with his first wife in Breakacky near Kingussie, then Dalwhinnie, and finally Edinburgh. After her death at the age of 29, he moved to the Isle of Eigg in 1945 and lived there a hermit-like existence in a simple cottage for about five years. His novel Death's Bright Shadow (1948) is a fictional account of his grief. He moved back to Edinburgh in 1951 and eventually remarried.
His first novel Café Bar was published in 1932. He married his first wife Ann Shearer in 1936, having met her in London where they both worked as journalists. Under her influence he converted from Episcopalianism to Catholicism. He lived with his first wife in Breakacky near Kingussie, then Dalwhinnie, and finally Edinburgh. After her death at the age of 29, he moved to the Isle of Eigg in 1945 and lived there a hermit-like existence in a simple cottage for about five years. His novel Death's Bright Shadow (1948) is a fictional account of his grief. He moved back to Edinburgh in 1951 and eventually remarried.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 18, 2016
A survey of this marvelous city as written in 1948--a perfect time capsule view into mid-twentieth-century Edinburgh. The writing is heavily opinionated but gives this (now historical) text a hilariously amusing character.
June 27, 2018
This is a delight from 1947. Apart from describing Edinburgh, the author delivers his personal judgements on buildings and people. John Knox,Fettes College and others are all derided. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews