A Guide to Scottish City Architecture 

Scotland’s cities mix old and new buildings. Each has its own style and history. 

Edinburgh: A City of Contrast 

Edinburgh blends medieval streets, Georgian homes, and modern buildings. The Old Town has tall stone buildings and narrow streets. The New Town has sandstone homes and wide streets. Victorian areas like Marchmont add charm. The waterfront has new flats and offices. 

Glasgow: Industrial Strength and Art 

Glasgow is bold and grand. The city centre has large Victorian buildings made of red and blonde sandstone. Tenement flats are found across the city. Art Nouveau buildings, like the Glasgow School of Art, add style. The River Clyde now has new steel and concrete buildings. 

Aberdeen: The Granite City 

Aberdeen is known for its grey stone buildings. Union Street has Georgian terraces and townhouses. The Old Town keeps its medieval streets. Public buildings like Marischal College show Gothic Revival grandeur. Modern buildings use granite to match the city’s historic look. 

Dundee: A City of Change 

Dundee has old mills and new designs. Many Georgian and Victorian streets remain. The waterfront has changed, with new buildings like the V&A Museum. Modern flats and offices fit in with older buildings. 

Inverness: The Highland Capital 

Inverness combines old and new. The Victorian Market and Town House show the city’s past. Castle Street has both historic and modern buildings. The riverside has new hotels and flats. The suburbs keep growing with modern homes. 

Perth: A Mix of Old and New 

Perth keeps its historic layout while adding modern buildings. The Georgian centre has wide streets and townhouses. Victorian buildings add grandeur. Many stone houses remain. New homes blend with the city’s older areas. 

Scotland’s Architecture 

Local Stone: Aberdeen uses granite, while Edinburgh and Glasgow use sandstone. 

Victorian Buildings: Many cities have large civic buildings from the 1800s. 

Georgian Streets: Wide streets and classical buildings shape places like Edinburgh and Perth. 

Medieval Streets: Old city centres still have narrow, winding roads. 

New Buildings: Modern homes and offices fit with the city’s style. 

Scottish cities keep their historic character while adding new buildings. They balance old and new in a way that feels natural.