A History of the Police Boxes of Edinburgh
Just around the corner of from Haymarket Hotel, on Magdala Crescent, a keen eye will spot a small black building. These old police boxes, made famous by Doctor Who, are dotted around Edinburgh and are tiny reminders of the history of this great city.
A time when every corner of the city belonged to a policeman who worked from these mini police stations at the end of your street. When private phones were scarce they provided the public with an assurance the authorities were on hand should the need arise.
Edinburgh's police boxes were first installed in the 1930s. Interesting each British city chose its own architect & original design. Edinburgh choosing architect Ebenizer James Mac Rae. Inside the original police box you'd find not much in the way of comfort. A sink, a chair, and to keep warm nothing more than a small heater and a kettle for a brew.
In the 1970s with the use of personal radios, the boxes were slowly phased out. Of the 142 boxes originally installed only now 75 remain.
The modern day police boxes found dotted around the city appear mostly in disrepair but the lucky few have been restored into small independent businesses. Some of the most original ideas being an ice-cream shop on the Grassmarket, a waffle shop on the corner of Queensferry St and Princes St, and a mini art gallery on Drummond St and the the Pleasance.
On your adventures around our beautiful city keep your eyes out for a little slice of lost history and maybe stop for a brew, while sparing a thought for the brave policemen and women who sheltered many a cold and rainy day inside their police box.