The announcement that architect James Craig’s plan for the development of the New Town of Edinburgh had won the prize set by the city for the best new design signalled the birth of modern Edinburgh, and Scotland.
The project of enlarging of the city of Edinburgh begins now to take effect. An act of parliament was passed, May 20., for extending the royalty of the city; on the 3d of June the magistrates complimented Mr James Craig, architect, with a gold medal, and with the freedom of the city in a silver box, as an acknowledgement of his merit in having designed the best plan of the new town; the ground was afterwards marked out into proper plots for building; and by the end of July the magistrates and council had finally adjusted the plan, and notice was given, that it was to lie open at the council chamber for a month from the 3d of August, for the inspection of such as inclined to become feuers, where also were to be seen the terms on which feus would be granted. Several purchases have already been made; and as the bridge of communication, which is now well advanced, is to be finished in about two years, it is probable the building will be soon begun, so as the houses may be habitable by the time the bridge is finished.