Born in 1895, van de Poll is regarded one of the most important press photographers ever to emerge from the Low Countries. As an international photo reporter, he travelled the globe and had his work distributed extensively by the Associated Press.
During his brief time in the Scottish capital, van de Poll managed to capture some spectacular shots of life in Edinburgh as it was during an era that is seldom seen in such stunning high quality.
A large number of the images taken by van de Poll have been made publicly available online by the National Archives of the Netherlands.
1. Gents catch up on the latest news, Princes Street
Dutch photojournalist Willem van de Poll arrived in Edinburgh in 1938 to photograph two famous locomotives: The Coronation and The Flying Scotsman, but he also took incredible shots of the Capital as it was during an era that was seldom captured in such stunning high quality. Photo: CC/Nationaal Archief Netherlands
2. Crowd admires the floral clock, West Princes Street Gardens
Contained mostly within the city centre, the scenes are almost all instantly recognisable, showing famous landmarks such as the floral clock, the Scott Monument and the castle esplanade. Photo: Nationaal Archief Netherlands
3. Passengers waiting to board, Princes Street Station
Long-lost Edinburgh Princes Street station, locally referred to as the ‘Caley’, makes an appearance in de Poll’s work. Period motorcars - evidence of the station’s Rutland Street vehicle access - can be seen lined up as a plume of white steam rises from one of the waiting locomotives. Photo: Nationaal Archief Netherlands
4. National Gallery, Princes Street
Street scenes were a de Poll speciality, and his pictures show the well-attired ladies and gents of 1930s Edinburgh as they go about their daily business Photo: Nationaal Archief Netherlands