Steven Robb
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stevenrobb.bsky.social
Steven Robb
@stevenrobb.bsky.social
570 followers 860 following 82 posts
Heritage watchdog. Interests in architecture, Edinburgh, inter-war social housing and obscure late Jacobite and nonjuring history. All views my own.
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Reposted by Steven Robb
edinreporter.bsky.social
Granton Waterfront – next part of regeneration project to begin with government funding

The Granton Waterfront is a brownfield site where the £1.3 billion regeneration project has already started with the restoration of the Gas Holder, the creation of a new park and the renovation of Granton…
Granton Waterfront – next part of regeneration project to begin with government funding
The Granton Waterfront is a brownfield site where the £1.3 billion regeneration project has already started with the restoration of the Gas Holder, the creation of a new park and the renovation of Granton Station. The next part of the regeneration project will begin in 2026 with funding of £42 million from The Scottish Government to support housing on the site.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
airdrierambler.bsky.social
I found this the other day. The Corstorphine Doocot, all that remains of the Corstorphine Castle estate.
#Edinburgh
November 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Just seen that the first five minutes of the never re-broadcast BBC Scottish Independence thriller 'Scotch on the Rocks' (1973) is on youtube. Great to see my gt-uncle George Robb chairing a SNP meeting ! www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmY3...
Scotch On The Rocks Phase 1 first 5 mins
YouTube video by Lee G Crime
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
wolfq4.bsky.social
#31DaysOfGraves Day 30 is #Colour
It has to be this fabulous cast iron monument by the Sun Foundry to commemorate the Mackenzie family in the Upsilon compartment of the #Glasgow #Necropolis
It has been restored recently, and I think it looks great!
#Gothic
#DarkTourist
#Cemetery
#Taphophile
The stone tablet reads: In loving memory of Alexander Mackenzie, merchant, Glasgow, died 31st January 1875, aged 62 years Alice Melrose his wife, died 4th January 1900, aged 82 years Four other (presumably) family members are interred and listed, James, Agnes Nelson, Alexander Whitson, and James. Photo credit: Lorraine Murray, 2025
October 30, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
threadinburgh.scot
The decline and fall of suburbia.
A play in three acts.
Act 1. 2008. A 1960s suburban bungalow in Edinburgh, with a neat garden and well trimmed hedges and bushes. An old couple sit on a bench out front. Act 2. 2012. The same suburban bungalow in Edinburgh. The garden has been dug up and covered in hardcore, the hedges removed and its wall removed and rebuilt. There are building materials in the front garden and a mini digger. Act 3. 2019. The same bungalow. It is almost unrecognisable. It has been extended to one side and the attic converted. It has been re-roofed in dark grey tiles, all the windows are new and smaller with dark grey frames. The brick and harling has been replaced with flat white render. The garden is largely a driveway with two black Range Rovers in it. There is a small patch of low-maintenance garden to one side.
October 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
From a few years ago - a blog on Craigentinny House in Edinburgh - with a spooky halloween tale crowbarred in....
blog.historicenvironment.scot/2023/10/the-...
The intriguing history of Craigentinny House - Historic Environment Scotland Blog
Steven Robb takes a look at the story of Craigentinny House. Could it offer inspiration to today's developers?
blog.historicenvironment.scot
October 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
artdecosocuk.bsky.social
Join us for this special collaborative event with the Seaside Heritage Network, that brings together four speakers with distinctive insights into preservation, design, and place.
Graphic for Presering Our Seaside Art Deco Heritage. An online talk by four expert historians. Dr Kathryn Ferry, Allan Brodie, Karen Averby & Nigel Wilson. Wednesday November 12th. Art Deco Society.
October 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
signetlibrary.bsky.social
The BBC's "Who Do You Think You Are" Magazine new November 2025 issue's "Gem from the Archive" features the Signet Library's @oldedinburghclub.bsky.social funded project on the records of John Watson's Institution, research undertaken by @kgbaston.bsky.social @johockey.bsky.social
The front cover of November 2025's Who Do You Think You Are magazine showing two children leaning against a tree.
October 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
rhonabrown.bsky.social
#OTD in 1774, Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson died in the city’s asylum for pauper lunatics at 24. Despite the tragedy, his works are full of life, laughter and satire. My new edition of his works is out next year, but for now enjoy some treats from Project Fergusson
robert-fergusson.glasgow.ac.uk
A statue of Robert Fergusson outside Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirkyard. He is not on a plinth, but walking along the street, his coattails blowing and a book in his hand. A plaque commemorating Robert Fergusson in St Giles Kirk, Edinburgh. He is in profile, looking to his right.
October 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
footballheritage.bsky.social
Huge news for Cathkin Park!

One of football's most treasured heritage assets has been designated a Scheduled Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.

For a location as iconic as Cathkin Park to be recognised in this way is significant for preserving our football heritage.
September 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
oldedinburghclub.bsky.social
Read the story of the founding of the Old Edinburgh Club in ' Our Town Stories'.

And today, our new President, Steven Robb, who wrote the article, will welcome members to our first talk of the winter lecture series. #oldedinburghhistory #oldedinburghclubs #oldedinburghsocieties #talesofonecity
The story of the Old Edinburgh Club
In 1908, a group of Edinburgh citizens got together to form a society to make the city’s incredible history accessible to all: the Old Edinburgh Club. In our latest collaboration on Our Town Storie…
talesofonecity.wordpress.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
alanwilson.bsky.social
Sad to see the recently uncovered ghost sign above The Elephant House on George IV Bridge being painted over.
#ghostsign #Edinburgh
October 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
The Arms of King Charles III (no not that one) in the Palazzo di San Clemente in Florence. Charles Edward Stuart bought the palace in 1777 living there until 1785. The Latin motto states 'Charles III, born 1720, King of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, 1766.
October 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
clairemillington.bsky.social
Incredible journey. This Roman tombstone has travelled further than the man it commemorates. It seems to have come to New Orleans probably through post WW2 looting.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New Orleans couple discovers ancient Roman grave marker in their yard
Discovery of 1,900-year-old headstone dedicated to Roman sailor sets off effort to repatriate item to Italy
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
alisonm.bsky.social
Loving all the #31DaysOfGraves posts. Today's theme is #tomb and with the Glasgow Necropolis on my doorstep I'm kind of spoiled for choice. Some of Glasgow's Victorian high-heejuns probably spent a good deal of their alloted span deciding how they could outdo each other in death.
Arab-influenced tomb in Glasgow Necropolis. A hexagonal tower with a domed top. A set of steps leads up to the entrance. Detail of the diamond patterned carvings around the doorway of the same tomb.
October 3, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
pastandotherplaces.bsky.social
#31DaysofGraves Day 3: Tomb. 18th century table memorial to Straiton or Stratton family of Tower Farm, Liberton. The carving on the end displays arable work including ploughing, breaking up the soil and sowing seeds. Liberton Kirkyard, #Edinburgh. #farming #LocalHistory 📚🗃️
📷 flic.kr/p/2qEDc1j
Stone table top tomb in graveyard. The light is highlighting the carving on the end showing arable work on the farm, including ploughing, breaking up the soil and sowing seeds. At the top of the panel, farm buildings and distant hills can be seen.
October 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Steven Robb
past-rewind.bsky.social
A pleasant find in The Albion pub, Hastings. A Wm. Younger pub of yore that has this wonderful decoration. All the major Scottish clans represented with their tartans. So.... @boakandbailey.bsky.social and @rogerprotz.bsky.social was this a common thing in Younger's pubs?
October 1, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
ianvisits.co.uk
In memoriam...
October 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Just published in the Transactions of the LCAS -a study on the pastoral staff of Bishop Thomas Deacon. A rare nonjuring artefact it passed to four subsequent Bishops before use as a Templar Masonic Staff and museum exhibit. Surviving both auctions and thefts it is now held at @lampallib.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Its niche -but here's my article on William Cartwright of Shrewsbury -last (almost) of the nonjuring Bishops. Son-in-law of Thomas Deacon he started as a Jacobite and ended with his family as the only members of his congregation. #nonjuring #jacobite

shropshirearchaeologyhistory.org/wp-content/u...
shropshirearchaeologyhistory.org
September 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Steven Robb
archaeostef.bsky.social
One for @urbanprehistorian.bsky.social - I was reading this morning about the Asda 'Price Promise' stones that were erected across the country in the 90s

loststonesofasda.wordpress.com

Some are definitely on the way to being archaeological monuments, such as this one in Trumfleet, South Yorkshire
A stone that looks like a prehistoric standing stone but inscribed with "Asda Price Promise Permanently [text obscured] prices [text obscured]. The stone is by a Drystone wall and vegetation grows around it
August 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Sir John Hynde Cotton (1686-1752) - Tory politician and Jacobite sympathiser. When told that drinking less wine would be better for his gout-affected leg, he replied 'if it would not bear his usual allowance of six bottles it was no leg to him'.
August 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Fire on Arthur’s Seat - still spreading
August 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Fire on Arthur’s Seat
August 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
stevenrobb.bsky.social
Exactly one hundred years ago - EJ MacRae was appointed Edinburgh's City Architect - Here is a short piece on the work of MacRae and his team.

blog.historicenvironment.scot/2025/07/eben...
Ebenezer James MacRae: the man who transformed Edinburgh - Historic Environment Scotland Blog
Ebenezer MacRae’s was appointed as Edinburgh’s City Architect 100 years ago. So who was the man who transformed Edinburgh?
blog.historicenvironment.scot
July 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM