The Spirit of the Age
Discover what it was was like to live through the Scottish
Enlightenment of the 18th century.
“The spirit of the age affects all the arts and spurs enquiry
and improvement”
David Hume, philosopher (1711-1776)
Old Town, new ideas
Begin your exploration of 18th century life in a room from
Riddles Court in Edinburgh's High Street, decorated with painted
panels. Notable Enlightenment figures would have gathered in rooms
like this to debate and exchange ideas. David Hume himself lived
for a while in Riddles Court.
Enlightenment and improvement
Improvement, politics, architecture and town planning, education
and the spread of ideas, social life and sports, the study and
practice of medicine – these were the themes of the Enlightenment.
Improvements in farming methods were found all over Scotland.
Neo-classical architecture and town planning were among the results
of the study of the classical world. Edinburgh's New Town is only
one example.
Medical advances
Scotland had an international reputation for advances in
science, particularly in medicine. Edinburgh's medical school was
justly famous (Case 10). But in the mid-18th century medical
learning probably affected only a tenth of Scotland's population,
most of whom still relied on traditional methods of dealing with
ill health. Case 9 contains various charms and remedies used
for healing the sick.
Sport and leisure
As wealth and free time increased, particularly for the middle
classes, people were able to enjoy sports more often, from horse
racing to curling and ba' games, archery and fencing to golf (Case
8). Musical soirees, balls and assemblies, and tea parties were
also popular pastimes: from silver tea sets to instruments,
evidence of fashionable pursuits can be found in Case 7.