Though it’s been partially closed since 2018 for repairs, traditionally North Bridge has performed a vital role in conveying the bulk of traffic between the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, which it was built to link.
Having replaced an older stone bridge constructed in the 1770s, the current incarnation of the bridge was opened in 1897, and its south west extent was famously home to The Scotsman and Edinburgh Evening News for much of the 20th century.
We have dug deep through the picture archives to bring you 19 photos showing the historic North Bridge through the years.
We have dug deep through the picture archives to bring you 19 photos showing the historic North Bridge through the years.
![French president Francois Mitterand (wearing hat) in North Bridge Edinburgh during the European Summit 1992.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiY2UyNDY1LWYwYjMtNGVlNy05MzE0LTA4MDliYjlhZjQwZDo4ZDA5MDgwYi0xMzNhLTQ3YWEtYTFlMi0xMjQ4NmZlYWViMmY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
13. Francois Mitterand in Edinburgh 1992
French president Francois Mitterand (wearing hat) in North Bridge Edinburgh during the European Summit 1992.Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
![Buses struggle through the blizzard on North Bridge during a snow storm in Edinburgh in April 1968.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjVmYTY0NDY2LTgyZmEtNGM0Yy04NmFmLTVjMzVmNjdmYzk0ODo0ZjQ0MTE3OC0zOWZiLTRjMzItODhiZC00ZDc5ZTg2NjA0MDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
14. Edinburgh snow storm
Buses struggle through the blizzard on North Bridge during a snow storm in Edinburgh in April 1968.Photo: Crauford Tait & Jack Crombie
![Rebus author Ian Rankin walking across North Bridge in 2006.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmNlMTI1ZGNlLWE4OGEtNDhkNi05OTQ0LThiYmM0Y2M2N2QzNjo1YTY5NWU0NS05OWQ2LTQ2NTAtOTk5ZS1lZDc4MDY0MzFjODc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
15. Ian Rankin on North Bridge
Rebus author Ian Rankin walking across North Bridge in 2006.Photo: Neil Hanna/TSPL
![The exterior of The Scotsman and Evening News newspaper offices on North Bridge Edinburgh.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjI5ODViZmIwLWMzZDAtNGIwYi1hMzJmLTg1MGU4NjBlODQ4ZTowZWE5ZTQxMS1mNDc1LTQxOGUtODQ3Ny03ZTU0N2Y1ZGFkODQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
16. Scotsman and Evening News
The exterior of The Scotsman and Evening News newspaper offices on North Bridge Edinburgh.Photo: TSPL