Cockburn Street, Edinburgh 1979

Cockburn Street is one of Edinburgh’s most picturesque thoroughfares, winding its way from the Royal Mile down to Waverley Station. Created in the 1850s to provide easier access to the station from the Old Town, the street was carefully designed in a sweeping curve to avoid the steep gradients of older closes. It was originally named Lord Cockburn Street, after the influential judge and conservationist Henry, Lord Cockburn, though the “Lord” was soon dropped.

Built in the Scots Baronial style by the architectural firm Peddie & Kinnear, the street is lined with narrow, turreted buildings and decorated shopfronts. Many of these retain their original timber shutters and ornate carvings, including owls, cats, and mythical creatures. Behind the buildings lie some of Edinburgh’s oldest closes, including Warriston Close and Advocates Close, remnants of the city’s medieval past.

Today, Cockburn Street is known for its lively mix of independent shops, cafés, vintage clothing stores, and tattoo parlours. Its unique charm has made it a favourite film location, with appearances in Trainspotting 2, Avengers: Infinity War, and others. It is also said to have inspired the magical atmosphere of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

With its blend of Victorian elegance and medieval heritage, Cockburn Street remains one of the most distinctive and atmospheric streets in Edinburgh—a living link between the city’s historic heart and the bustling Waverley Station below.