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The "High Land" Brook Street - Ref: DPS8_35
The towering tenement known as the "High Land" is one of the most conspicuous objects in that part of the city which for over a century has been known as "Scouring Burn," and which in 1906 was renamed "Brook Street". The "High Land" rises to a height of eight storeys on the south side and nine on the north side, where the ground declines considerably.
It was erected in the middle years of the 1860s by Mr. Robertson, a gentleman of eccentric habits. At that date the authorities, though possessing a measure of control over the erection of buildings, were limited in their general powers. There were certain points in the plan of the structure of which they could not approve. Being unable to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Commissioners, the developer resolved to have his own way in other respects. There were then no bylaws to prevent a building being carried up to any height, and, aware of this, Mr. Robertson proceeded forthwith to put his scheme into operation. Hence the exaggerated edifice we have in the photograph.
The venture did not realise the proprietor's anticipations, and before long it acquired a rather unenviable reputation. Powers were subsequently obtained by the Police Commissioners enabling them to deal with structural anomalies, and the High Land was promptly shorn of two of its upper storeys, a closing order being passed against it. For many years thereafter the owner was an inmate of a lunatic asylum.