Why is Edinburgh called ‘Auld Reekie’?
“Auld Reekie” is an old nickname for Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It means “old smoky” in Scots language and originated from around the 16th and 17th centuries. Back then, Edinburgh’s crowded Old Town was surrounded by city walls. There was no room to expand outwards, so the streets were narrow and the buildings were tall. Such a large concentration of homes produced a huge amount smoke, which bellowed out of chimneys and filled the air with a thick smog.
Over time, the meaning of the word “reek” shifted away from smoke and came to be associated with strong, offensive odors in general. However, the nickname “Auld Reekie” remained fitting, as Edinburgh was known for a whole range of foul smells. With its cramped conditions, there was a lack of sanitation and fresh air within the city walls. People tossed human waste into the streets from their windows, shouting “Gardyloo!” as a warning to any passersby below to get out of the way. At night, workers swept the waste from the streets, and much of it would eventually drain into the filthy waters of the Nor Loch and the Burgh Loch, which were large and heavily polluted bodies of water. Add to this, the smells from tanneries, slaughterhouses, fish markets and more. Edinburgh was reekie indeed!
Edinburgh began to expand beyond its city walls in the 18th century, most notably with the construction of the New Town, starting in 1767. Plumbing and sanitation improved. The stinking waters of the Nor Loch and Burgh Loch were drained, eventually becoming Princes Street Gardens and The Meadows respectively. Today, Edinburgh is a vibrant capital city, known for its beautiful architecture and programme of festivals. And while it smells a lot better than it once did, locals still use the nickname “Auld Reekie”. Though it is perhaps a more affectionate term today than it once was.
Auld Reikie poem
Poet Robert Fergusson wrote the famous Scots poem Auld Reikie in the 1700s, which perpetuated the nick-name.
Auld Reikie, wale o’ ilka town (Auld Reekie, best of every town)
That Scotland kens beneath the moon! (That Scotland knows beneath the moon)
Whare couthy chiels at e’ening meet (Where friendly lads at evening meet)
Their bizzing craigs and mous to weet; (Their dry throats and mouths to wet)
And blythly gar auld care gae by (And happily bid old cares goodbye)
Wi’ blinkit and wi’ bleering eye: (With blinking and with bleery eyes)…
You can read the full poem here. Fergusson died in an Edinburgh asylum aged just 24, but he is known as one of Robert Burns’ greatest influences.
