Broughton was an ancient feudal barony that existed outside of Edinburgh before it was later incorporated into the city as urban development took place in the 18th and 19th centuries.

[1][2] The feudal barony of Broughton in the 16th and 17th centuries was in the hands of the Bellenden family, who had made their money in the legal profession.

Moving clockwise from south east, Broughton is bordered by Greenside and Calton, the New Town, Canonmills, and Pilrig.

Broughton is today at the centre of Edinburgh's "pink triangle", an area of the city with a number of gay bars and clubs.

The Scottish folk band Silly Wizard were based for some time in a flat located at 69 Broughton Street.

It reports hyperlocally relevant political, planning, environment, transport, licensing, cultural, historic and plain odd stories, and tries to be equally rude to all sides without fear or favour especially during elections.

Father and son builders Charles and William Butler built Gayfield House between 1761 and 1764 as a stylish country villa combining Scots Palladian with Dutch details and a touch of French decor, within walking distance of the crowded Old Town of Edinburgh.

In 1765 the Butlers sold it for £2,000 to Thomas, Lord Erskine (the eldest son of the Earl of Mar who had led the Jacobite rising of 1715) and his wife Lady Charlotte Hope.

A late 18th century print shows Gayfield House standing in attractive grounds, surrounded by fields and by orchards, bounded to the South East by Leith Walk.

[16] The nearest tram stops are Picardy Place at the top of Broughton Street, and McDonald Road on Leith Walk.