Traditions of Edinburgh

The narrator returns to a youthful project from the late eighteenth century, a scrapbook of Edinburgh’s everyday magic when the city pulsed with the likes of Scott, Jeffrey and the Ettrick Shepherd. By revisiting his original notes, he offers a fresh, affectionate look at the streets, salons and curiosities that shaped the capital’s cultural life.

In the first part he tracks down the elderly gentlemen who still remember the old ways, coaxing them to share anecdotes that range from high‑society gossip to the quirks of eccentric characters such as Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. Sharpe, with his high‑pitched voice, flamboyant frock‑coat and biting wit, becomes a focal point, his stories about ballads, caricatures and scandal painting a vivid portrait of the city's colourful personalities.

Listeners will be treated to a lively mosaic of reminiscences—tales of aristocratic ladies, mischievous duels, and the everyday rituals that defined Edinburgh’s identity. The tone is both scholarly and warmly conversational, making the past feel immediate and inviting, as if a friendly guide is strolling down the Royal Mile, sharing the secrets that only the oldest residents recall.