Well Court, Water of Leith, Edinburgh, March 2016
One of my personal treats on every visit to Edinburgh is a walk along the Water of Leith, between Stockbridge and Roseburn. The red sandstone of Well Court is one of many highlights along the way.
Well Court was commissioned in the 1880s by Sir John Findlay, owner of The Scotsman newspaper. He bought land in Dean Village and had old tenements removed to make way for new housing. It was constructed as four and five storey blocks of tenement flats around a communal courtyard and was advertised to the local Dean Villagers as “homes of two and three rooms with conveniences, let to a respectable class of working men at rentals of £7 to £12 per annum”.
In 2007, Edinburgh World Heritage and the owners of the building funded a major restoration of Well Court. The work included repairs to the stonework, roof, windows and clock tower, using traditional materials. A match for the distinctive red sandstone was found in a quarry in Dumfries, and handmade roof tiles were sourced in order to maintain a significant part of the character of the building.
Clock tower, probably inspired by the 17th century Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall
Hex colour reference: ffa089
A colourful note: the fruitily-named vivid tangerine crayon appeared in the Crayola boxes in 1990. It is clearly named after the orange coloured citrus fruit that is closely related to, or possibly a type of, mandarin orange. In turn, the fruit’s name is derived from its original home, Tangier in Morocco.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 9 January 2017
Part of Color Your World
Travel with Intent 
What a treat to see these! Did you take them with a 100 mm lens?
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Such majestic architecture! Would love to see this area in person. Lord willing, some day I will!
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Wonderful collection of shots!
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That’s beautiful architecture. Imagine the rental prices nowadays, if you were able to live there.
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In that area, easily £8,000 per annum (for 1 bedroom) About £12,000 for 2 bedroom!
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I like to visit!
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Oh… this brick-buildings are so romantic and lovely.
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First of all, thanks for the info on the vivid tangerine color. I am fascinated by the history of colors. But, the best part of this post is the gorgeous photo!! I really want to go back to Edinburgh, and I will save your post for a possible future travel destination.
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I am delighted you enjoyed it so much. If you need any travel hep just shout. I know Edinburgh quite well
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Love this beautiful brick work 🙂
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Beautiful streetscape, Debbie. I also love your paired Crayola color reference. 😊
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I love this Crayola colour challenge – it makes me think hard about new images and topics.
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Love the look of red sandstone. Beautiful buildings. ❤
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The red stands out cheeerfully, whatever the weather!
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Wow such beautiful buildings! I love Edinburgh 🙂
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Yes, it’s a beautiful city, with plenty of great walking available
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Nice picture!
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