Granton, Edinburgh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Granton is an area in the north of Edinburgh, Scotland. Granton forms part of Edinburgh's waterfront along the Firth of Forth, and is historically an industrial area, having a large harbour. In the later part of the 20th century the area became extensively derelict, leading to moves to redevelop Granton as part of Edinburgh's large scale waterfront regeneration programme.

Granton Harbour was begun in 1836 by the 5th Duke of Buccleuch on part of his estate of Caroline Park, of which only the house and a small area of grounds remains today. Lighthouse engineer Robert Stevenson oversaw construction, which was completed in 1863, although part of the harbour was open by 1838. The harbour had a large fishing fleet. In 1850, the world's first ferry-train began operating between Granton and Burntisland, Fife. The paddle-steamer Leviathan carried the trains, which formed the main link across the Forth until completion of the Forth Bridge in 1890. Passenger and car ferry services continued into the 1960s.

Granton Gasworks were formerly one of Edinburgh waterfront's most prominent landmarks, comprising three blue gasometers which were clearly visible from Fife. Two of the structures, built in the 1930s and 1970s, have now been demolished. The third structure remains, and is listed as an example of Victorian industrial architecture. The gasworks site is spread over 110 acres, and is to be redeveloped as the ForthQuarter, a mixed use development of housing, offices, local services, a park, and a new campus for Telford College. The area was masterplanned by Foster and Partners, although the individual 'plots' will be separately designed by other architects.

The oldest surviving car factory building in Britain is located in Granton. The Madelvic Motor Carriage Company works were built in 1898 for the manufacture of electric cars. Like the gasometers, the factory is also a listed building, and is to be renovated as housing in the regeneration scheme.