Why Old Edinburgh?

The Old Edinburgh Club was founded in 1908 with the aim of recording the vanishing evidence of Edinburgh's history, its buildings and its past inhabitants, from prehistoric times onwards. The Club's original focus was the Old Town, where so much destruction had been wrought during the 50 years since the Improvement Act of 1867, but it was soon recognised that other areas of the city also deserved historical consideration. We remain the only local history society in Edinburgh which concerns itself with the whole of the city.

Why a Club?

Originally membership was restricted to 300 people, and to become a member you had to be nominated. Membership has long since been open to anyone who wants to further their interest in the history and development of Edinburgh. Our original name lives on, and so does one of our founding activities and principal functions, the publication of The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club. In addition we run an annual programme of lectures and guided visits to places of interest.

Council

The club is run by a council of members elected at the annual general meeting.

OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 2007 – 2008
 
Hon President
The Rt Hon The Earl of Wemyss and March, KT
 
President
Dr Iain Gordon Brown, FSA FRSE  
 
Vice-President
Dr Robin Tait
 
Hon Vice-President
The Rt Hon The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, PC FRSE LLD FR Eng
 
Secretary
Dr Alan Borthwick
 
Treasurer
Mr Douglas Glass
 
Programme Secretary
Miss Catherine Cruft, OBE

Editor, Book of the Old Edinburgh Club
Dr Andrew Fraser

Publicity and Recruitment
Mr Colin Warwick, MBE

Council Members
Dr Allen Simpson (2005)
Professor David Purdie (2005)
Miss Cecilia Cavaye (2005)
Sheriff Andrew Bell (2006)
Ms Bridget Stevens (2006)
Mrs Joanna O’Rourke (2006)
Mr Alan McKinney (2007)
Mr Graeme Cruickshank (2007)