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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.