George Square

George Square lies in the south of Edinburgh’s city centre, just beside the Meadows. It began in 1766 as a Georgian residential square for lawyers and nobles. The square still keeps some of its original terraces on the east side. Most of the surrounding buildings now belong to the University of Edinburgh. Exceptions include the Dominican priory of St Albert the Great. Principal university buildings such as the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre and the main library overlook the square. The square has strong links to famous figures from Scotland’s past. Sir Walter Scott once lived at number 25, and Arthur Conan Doyle studied medicine nearby at number 23. Lord Braxfield the judge and Henry Dundas the politician also had homes here. In 1792 the Dundas Riots began in the square after crowds protested outside Robert Dundas of Arniston’s house. The square later became a focus for university expansion in the 1960s. The central gardens remain privately owned but are usually open to the public. They contain Winifred Rushforth’s memorial called The Dreamer. Several Baillie lamps from the old council houses stand along the paths. The paving uses granite slivers saved from road-making, a local craft called horonising. During August the square turns into a busy Fringe venue with bars and pop-up stages. University lecture halls become temporary performance spaces for the festival.