A housing co-operative built in the 1860s to accommodate workers following the Industrial Revolution is still home to a thriving community despite soaring property prices, residents say.
The eleven Stockbridge Colonies in Edinburgh were built during the 1860s after the population of the Scottish capital double during the Industrial Revolution, during which period living conditions were described as some of the worst in the UK, prompting workers to demand housing reform.
But locals insist the area still has a community spirit and they love being part of its history.
A one-bedroom flat in the Colonies can now fetch £295,000, with the buildings now listed and protected by Edinburgh Council.
Jessie Deopp, 39, moved to Scotland from the US in 2023, when her husband Pat, 41, had the opportunity to relocate for work at an investment management company.
Pat and Jessie Deopp moved their family to the Colonies from the US and like the area for its ‘historical charm’
The Deopp family inside their Stockbridge Colonies flat in Edinburgh
An aerial view of the distinctive rows of homes that make up the Colonies, which after the Industrial Revolution was home to some of the worst living conditions in Britain
They moved to Edinburgh with their two children in July, before learning about the family-oriented Stockbridge Colonies, moving into their upper-level flat in October 2023.
‘The community within the city was what attracted us – we were really looking for a place to raise our little family,’ said Jessie, who works as a virtual assistant.
‘We moved from the States in July to a flat in New Town, and we wanted a different, more family-oriented vibe.
‘We’d heard such wonderful things about the colonies and how they’re filled with small children and young families. It feels like a little community within a big city.
‘I’ve met some families with young children, and they say that when the weather gets nicer, everybody is outside.
‘We’ve had a glimpse of spring, and everyone was outside doing their laundry, their gardening, or just going for walks and getting outside – it’s very social.
‘We’re very drawn to the historical element. That’s another reason why we chose the Stockbridge colonies – it’s fun to live in a place with so much history.
‘It makes you think about who lived here and what kind of experiences they had. It’s really cool, to have the original fireplaces and brick, and the tall windows. We really have a thing for historical charm!’
The Edinburgh Co-operative Building Company (ECBC) was created after construction workers were punished for striking over working hours and conditions and managed to raise £10,000 by selling £1 shares in their company.
The ECBC then began construction on the Stockbridge Colonies – homes built by and for the cooperative and beyond, which could house up to 7,000 people. Potential residents could pay a £5 deposit for an upper or lower level flat, which would range from £100-130, with the remaining balance to be paid off within 20 years.
The Stockbridge Colonies were designed to house over 7,000 people
Retiree Bil Brownlee, has lived on the estate for 30 years
Mr Brownlee admitted that he would not be able to afford his ground floor apartment if he was buying it today
The area became known for housing construction workers, carpenters, artists and tradespeople, and the neighbourhoods would regularly hold community events and fairs.
Retired Bill Brownlee, 72, moved into the Colonies 29 years ago, buying his lower-level flat for just £55,000 at the time after admiring the peaceful nature of the neighbourhood and its community spirit.
A resident of Edinburgh for over 40 years, Bill believes that the area’s history shouldn’t be forgotten – and is glad to see longstanding traditions of community events being enjoyed by new residents.
‘It was built in the late 1800s, and it was initially built to accommodate the artisans in the area. It was built as a cooperative movement by and for artisans in the area,’ Bill said.
‘It has drifted away from that – it’s seen as sort of a trendy area now in certain respects.
‘Having said that, it’s still got a fairly good community. There are still people like myself that have been here quite a number of years, and even people that have been born and brought up here whose parents have passed and left them the house.
‘It’s still got a community attitude, but that’s borne out of the people who stay here. There are still families that have been there for a while.
‘There’s lots of events that take place over the year that raise that community spirit. At Christmas, we have a ceilidh where tickets initially go out to the residents of the colonies, and then if there are any left over, other folk can come to the ceilidh.
‘There’s also a yearly yard sale coming up in May, and there can be 30 odd houses participating. It’s just putting stuff out for sale in your garden, but that attracts a big influx of people coming into the area just for the day.
‘There’s a Creative Colonies, whereby within the colonies housing, there are a few creative types that design or do artwork and they’ll invite people into their houses for viewing and purchasing art goods. There’s all sort of things in this community that keep it vibrant.’
But he added that skyrocketing houseprices and rents had made it difficult for young people to move there, admitting that he wouldn’t be able to afford his own home if he was buying it today.
He said: ‘I bought my flat nearly 30 years ago, and I couldn’t afford to buy it now – I think that’s unfair for people coming in,’ he said.
‘Mine was advertised at £58,000, and it needed some remedial work. I think I got it for around £55,000. That seems like nothing now, but nearly 30 years ago, that was still a fair amount to pay.
‘There are the lower colonies and the upper colonies, and they enter from different streets. The upstairs houses are usually bigger and command a greater price.
‘If one of those is done up nicely, they can be over half a million in today’s prices.
Houses in the Stockbridge colonies are split into separate flats, known as the upper colonies and lower colonies which residents enter at different level
A street in the Edinburgh Colonies. Estate agents say the area still a ‘unique draw’ while being within walking distance of Edinburgh’s city centre
A free library in the Colonies. The estate attracts a wide variety of buyers, from first-timers to investors
‘There’s a certain draw to this area that instils the higher price – but I like the historical importance.’
Francesca Hill from Coulters estate agent said: ‘The charm of the Stockbridge Colonies continues to attract buyers both locally and from further afield.
‘These characterful properties have a unique draw, being both peacefully situated beside the Water of Leith yet walking distance of Edinburgh’s city centre and major attractions.
‘The colonies attract a variety of buyers, from first time buyers and investors predominantly buying the 1 and 2 bedroom lower colonies, to couples and families drawn to the larger double upper flats.
‘As an agent, the joy of visiting the Stockbridge Colonies is that it is rare you will find two flats the same.
‘Over the years, owners have modified the layouts to create unique homes with their own individual charm, whilst from the outside, the terraces remain uniform thanks to their listed status’.