The Edinburgh Old Town is the historic heart of the city. The Grassmarket, Cowgate and Royal Mile were all once the location of various food vendors and processors. In 1477, King James III gave permission for fifteen different markets to operate in Edinburgh. These included a poultry market, a butter and cheese market, a fish market, the Lawnmarket and a cattle market.
As late as the 20th Century, this market model remained consistent, with food goods being brought in from the farms and grazing lands surrounding the city centre.
This image shows a glimpse of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, as illustrated by William Edgar circa 1765. This segment of the map shows the Flesh Market (where meat from the land just beyond the city walls would have been sold) the Green Market (where other farm goods such as vegetables would have been sold) and the various kitchen gardens located within close proximity to housing.