With an architectural heritage that stretches back centuries and a medieval backdrop that's adored by locals and tourists alike, it's hard to imagine that Edinburgh's Grassmarket could very well have been wiped from the map.
And yet in 1948, a radical scheme was unveiled that would have seen the historic district flattened in favour of a Festival Centre.
The post-war masterplan, which was dreamt up by architect John Graham, envisaged existing tenements being swept away to be replaced by a purpose-built arts 'village' that would act as the focal point of the newly-created Edinburgh International Festival.
