Edinburgh Castle from the north

From the front of the postcard we can see 4 main things going on:

1. The Scott Monument (centre of the postcard)
• The Scott Monument is a monument to the popular author Sir Walter Scott. Who is renowned as a historical novelist, poet, playwright, and historian and is also known for his political engagement. The monument is the second largest monument in the world and is built in Victorian Gothic architecture. The monument stands in Princes street gardens.
2. Princes Street Garden and Princes Street (below the monument)
• The Princes Street Gardens that lie in the centre of Edinburgh were created in two phases in the 1770s and 1820s after the draining of Nor Loch (which stood at princes street gardens as an artificial lake made to act as medieval defences). The garden lies on the south side of Princes street where there were panoramic views and to this day act as a popular tourist destination as one of the best known parks in Edinburgh.
3. Edinburgh castle
• Seen in the background to the left of the monument is a historic fortress that dates human occupation back up to the stone age and is an important part of scotland's national heritage.
4. N.B. hotel, Edinburgh
• As shown in the title relays the message that picture was taken from the N.B. (North British Station) hotel, Edinburgh. This acts as an advertisement to not only the multiple popular attractions in Edinburgh but also to the hotel where they could get such beautiful scenic views. Even though the hotel in itself is not in the picture, the picture acts as one of the best advertisements the hotel could get. The hotel is a luxury hotel and it can be assumed that this is one of the reasons for its massive popularity and reputation.

This postcard tells us how postcards were used as advertisement and promotional material to scotland (and more in this case) allowing the growth of its massive tourism sector. It is also interesting how much more peaceful and calm the parkside looks in contrast to the busy everyday road and the way the picture looks like an artistic painting with the hints of red colour to make things look rich with colour with the contrast of the yellowish brown. The Black watch refers to the 3rd regiment of the royal regiment of scotland and the border matches their tartan.

The back of the postcard

The back of the postcard:

Here you can see the message that was sent with the postcard:

“ This is Edinburgh’s finest street,  beautiful one, bounded on one side by gardens. I have climbed to the top of the Monument which is for Scottish author Sir Walter Scott

m.machlachlan”

From this we can see that he was describing the place in the first sentence and speaking of his experience in his second. Furthermore, due to the fact that he had been there is a pretty good chance he got the postcard as a souvenir from there or a shop closeby. Also the sender is M. Maclachlan however there is no receiver name or stamp therefore, it was never sent or perhaps the stamp was removed however there are no proof of any traces of stamps.