Edinburgh Central Library

Located on George IV bridge, and rising several storeys from the Cowgate below, is Edinburgh Central Public Library. Reached by its own bridge, this fine building is by Sir George Washington Browne (1890) in the French François I style. It was one of over 2000 public libraries funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1918) and a his bust is displayed on the main stair-case. The library was built on the site of the 17th C house of Sir Thomas Hope, advocate to King Charles I, and lintels from this building were preserved and re-installed within the library.

The library includes significant collections of Scottish and Edinburgh-related material, including copies of parish records and other information of interest to those researching their families.

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