The Outlook Tower, Edinburgh

Chronology of the Outlook Tower at Edinburgh

1856- Roof top terrace was open as a public observatory, complete with camera obscura. Owned at that time by Maria Short who moved the observatory from its original site on Calton Hill, Edinburgh in 1854.

1892- Geddes visit to Short's observatory with James Mavor. Geddes offers to purchase the tower and is accepted. (it is noted that he did not have a specific project or plan or the building, it must have been his fascination with the camera obscura that preempted the purchase).

The tower became the centre point for Geddes's socio-cultural scheme for the regeneration of the Old Town in Edinburgh.

Circa 1896- Financial difficulties slow progresss on Geddes's efforts and the Town and Gown Association is set up to manage funds.

1899- The observatory became known as the Outlook Tower

1904- Geddes submits a project for the Carnegie Foundation in Dunfermline, its principle building was to have been a Tower of Outlook.

1905- Geddes abandons work on the Outlook Tower at Shorts Observatory. The Outlook Tower Committee is set up to undertake some essential works and to complete the project.

To Current Date, the Outlook Tower is still open to the public, the lower floors of the tower house the 'world of illusion'