In the first of an occasional series, we look back at events in Edinburgh's history that happened on this day.

On this day in 1687, the first sedan chairs became available for public hire in Edinburgh.

Although some the wealthier residents of the city had owned their own private sedan chairs for many decades, this was the first opportunity that the lower orders had to experience such luxury. The bearers of these "hackney chairs" were typically Highlanders who had migrated south in search of employment: men used to heavy labour and being outdoors in all seasons.