Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Iona Young

Side-splitting Edinburgh video gives snapshot of life in a Victorian tenement

A hilarious video offers a snapshot of life in an Edinburgh tenement.

The TikTok clip, shared by an American living in Tollcross, points out features commonly found in the flats, from floorboard cracks to a main door lever system.

The areas surrounding the Meadows are home to many historically middle class tenements, built in the Victorian era and recognisable by large sash windows and pink sandstone bricks.

The clip was shared with the caption: "Things in my Victorian Tenement home that just make sense - I love it.

READ MORE: West Lothian B&B, run by mum and daughter, to star on Channel 4's Four in a Bed

One feature common in the flats is old fashioned keys for every door in the house.

Many of the historic tenements feature a rope pulling system to open the bathroom window.

Unfortunately cracks in the floorboards are another common feature.

Wobbly brass door handles are seen on most doors in the stereotypical tenement flat.

Most still feature a main door lever system which was once used as a doorbell system which are a unique feature in stairs around the capital.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Edinburgh World Heritage historic homes guide explains, "The common stair door was opened by pulling a lever on the stair landing which lifted the latch on the common stair door.

"Some of these original levers on stair landings still work, but where the system has broken down restoration to full working order is possible."

The relatable clip was viewed over 40,000 times and racked up over 2000 likes., with many locals resonating with the fascinating clip.

@suzie123 said: "Edinburgh tenements are gorgeous but I'd never live in another one. Full of mice, makes my teeth itch."

@avucu8 joked: "I miss those loose brass doorknobs - NOT!"

While @stu5727 said: "You forgot to say mice."

Marchmont and the top of Tollcross are known for Victorian tenements as Cullen Property explains: "Marchmont, separated from the Old Town by the Meadows, was developed to provide middle-class tenements in the 19th century.

"Property was revolutionised in the Victorian period – homes now featured running water and gas lighting, and large bay windows were common. Similar to Georgian windows, they were sash and case, however, contained much larger panes of glass.

"Many households still employed servants during this era, so almost all of the properties comprised four floors, similar to the New Town.

"Early Victorian tenements found in Marchmont were designed in the Scottish baronial style, featuring pink sandstone and small turrets – many of which are still intact today."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.