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Edinburgh - Living City Education Pack
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image copyright Rachel Windsor
Beaverhall Road takes its name from Beaverhall House which once stood here. The house was named for the hat factory which once stood nearby, where beaverskin hats were produced. The beaver skins were obtained by trading prisoners for the furs. The prisoners were taken to the New World as slaves.
Johnie Lad, Cock Up Your Beaver
When first my brave Johnie lad came to this town,
He had a blue bonnet that wanted the crown;
But now he has gotten a hat and a feather,
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver!
Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sprush,
We'll over the border, and gie them a brush;
There's somebody there we'll teach better behaviour,
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver!
Robert Burns
The image shows the different options available for beaver hats throughout the late 18th century and early 19th century when the fashion was at its peak. It was originally published in Castorologia, Or, The History and Traditions of the Canadian Beaver by Horace T Martin.
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Links:
The last word on what's in a name - The Scotsman
History of felt hats and hat making
The process of felting a beaver hat
Furs of Gold
Beaverskin in the History of Inventions, Discoveries and Origins by Johann Beckmann
Nearby:
Beaverbank Place
Canonmills
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory
Logie Green Road
St Mark's Birdge
Warriston Road Viaduct