Timeline of Edinburgh history Scottish Academy (later the Royal Scottish Academy) is founded; John Bartholomew founds the mapmaking firm John Bartholomew & Son Ltd. 1827 Walter Scott reveals himself to be the author of the "Waverley novels" at a Theatrical Fund dinner in the George Street Assembly Rooms 1828: Burke and Hare are arrested for the "West Port Murders". Burke is put on trial and convicted on Hare's evidence 1829: Building of George IV Bridge and Dean Bridge begins; the murderer William Burke is hanged; the new Royal High School opens; Walter Scott arranges the return of Mons Meg to Edinburgh Castle 1830: Advocates'
West Port, Edinburgh the Edinburgh College of Art stands on the south east corner of West Port and Lady Lawson Street. Plans have been unveiled for a new building to be constructed on the West Port side of the block between Lady Lawson Street and Lauriston Street, to be called Westport 102. This would be built on the same site as the old Post Office headquarters, which famously collapsed during demolition, leading to several roads being closed in the area for an extended period of time. West Port, Edinburgh The West Port is a street in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland, located just south