Cowgate

Category

Library Item

Item no

1022

Title

Cowgate

Description

Men lead horses and carts along the Cowgate, Edinburgh. The road is busy, full of people walking or standing by tall buildings. To the left, South Bridge spans the street and on the roofs above, chimneys are smoking.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1817

Size

22 x 17 cm.

Type

Wash drawing

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Cowgate runs from its junction with St Mary's Street (formerly St Mary's Wynd) and the Pleasance to the Grassmarket. It was the route by which cattle were driven into town from outside Edinburgh. The Cowgate Port was a gateway through the Flodden wall (City Wall).

South Bridge runs from the High Street towards the Southside of Edinburgh crossing over the steep gully in which the Cowgate is situated. It is a nineteen arch viaduct, although only the one arch through which the Cowgate passes is visible. Designed by architect Robert Kay it was completed in 1788. The bridge was widened in 1929.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

(55°56′53″N, 3°11′30″W)

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