Fountainbridge
Encyclopedia
Fountainbridge is an area of Edinburgh
, Scotland
, a short distance west of the city centre, adjoining Tollcross
to the east, Bruntsfield
to the south, Dalry
to the west and Haymarket
to the north.
From the early 19th century until the late 20th century it was home to a mixture of working-class tenement
housing and industry. In the area is the present eastern end of the Union Canal
(known as the Lochrin Basin), which originally continued a short distance to the north and east to Port Hamilton. The route of the former Caledonian Railway
continues to dominate the area, having been converted into the West Approach Road dual-carriageway after the closure of the railway.
It is notable as the area where film star Sir Sean Connery
was born, explaining his choice of name for his production company, Fountainbridge Films. He later shut down the company after a series of disputes with a business partner.
George Meikle Kemp
, the designer of the Scott Monument
, drowned in the Union Canal at Fountainbridge.
The McEwan's Brewery
opened in Fountainbridge in 1856. Much of it was closed in 2004 and has now been demolished as part of a wider redevelopment and regeneration programme known as Edinburgh Quay. The development has enabled public access to the Lochrin canal basin at the 'Edinburgh end' of the Union Canal
.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, a short distance west of the city centre, adjoining Tollcross
Tollcross, Edinburgh
Tollcross is a crossroads in the South-West of the City Centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, and also the surrounding area which derives its name from the junction.-Physical description:...
to the east, Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, about twenty minutes walk south-west of the city centre. In feudal times it fell within the barony of Colinton.-Location:...
to the south, Dalry
Dalry, Edinburgh
Dalry is an area close to the centre of the Scottish capital Edinburgh, between Haymarket and Gorgie. The phrase Gorgie-Dalry is commonly used by the council. It also borders Ardmillan. The area has become an increasingly desirable residential location in recent years, and the area is well located...
to the west and Haymarket
Haymarket, Edinburgh
Haymarket is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is in the west of the city and is a focal point for many main roads, notably Dalry Road , Corstorphine Road and Shandwick Place .Haymarket contains a number of popular pubs, cafés and...
to the north.
From the early 19th century until the late 20th century it was home to a mixture of working-class tenement
Tenement
A tenement is, in most English-speaking areas, a substandard multi-family dwelling, usually old, occupied by the poor.-History:Originally the term tenement referred to tenancy and therefore to any rented accommodation...
housing and industry. In the area is the present eastern end of the Union Canal
Union Canal (Scotland)
The Union Canal is a 31.5-mile canal in Scotland, from Lochrin Basin, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh to Falkirk, where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal.-Location and features:...
(known as the Lochrin Basin), which originally continued a short distance to the north and east to Port Hamilton. The route of the former Caledonian Railway
Caledonian Railway
The Caledonian Railway was a major Scottish railway company. It was formed in the early 19th century and it was absorbed almost a century later into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, in the 1923 railway grouping, by means of the Railways Act 1921...
continues to dominate the area, having been converted into the West Approach Road dual-carriageway after the closure of the railway.
It is notable as the area where film star Sir Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
was born, explaining his choice of name for his production company, Fountainbridge Films. He later shut down the company after a series of disputes with a business partner.
George Meikle Kemp
George Meikle Kemp
George Meikle Kemp was a Scottish carpenter/joiner, draughtsman, and self-taught architect. He is best known as the designer of the Scott Monument in central Edinburgh.-Biography:...
, the designer of the Scott Monument
Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott . It stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, opposite the Jenners department store on Princes Street and near to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.The tower is high, and has a series of viewing decks...
, drowned in the Union Canal at Fountainbridge.
The McEwan's Brewery
McEwan's Brewery
McEwan's is a brand of ales, with the draught beers brewed at the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh, Scotland and the canned and bottled beers brewed at the Eagle Brewery, Bedford, England. It is now owned by Wells & Youngs following the sale of the brands by Heineken in 2011...
opened in Fountainbridge in 1856. Much of it was closed in 2004 and has now been demolished as part of a wider redevelopment and regeneration programme known as Edinburgh Quay. The development has enabled public access to the Lochrin canal basin at the 'Edinburgh end' of the Union Canal
Union Canal (Scotland)
The Union Canal is a 31.5-mile canal in Scotland, from Lochrin Basin, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh to Falkirk, where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal.-Location and features:...
.