Head of the Cowgate

Category

Library Item

Item no

1023

Title

Head of the Cowgate

Description

The view from the Head of the Cowgate by the Grassmarket, Edinburgh looking towards Holyrood. Tall houses line either side of the street and the spire of the Magdalene Chapel can be seen behind them. The broad arch of George IV Bridge crosses the chasm between the buildings. A great many people can be seen on the road and a carting business is operating from the corner, with lines of carts lying in the street.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1833

Size

19 x 25 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Painted in June 1833.

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).

George IV Bridge was designed by Thomas Hamilton. It was constructed in 1829-34 to improve access to Edinburgh's Old Town from the rapidly developing Southside. This elevated street runs from the junction of Candlemaker Row and Chambers Street to the Lawnmarket, passing over the Cowgate and Merchant Street. Almost directly opposite each other are the National Library of Scotland on the streets' east side and the Central Public Library on the west side. A memorial statue to Greyfriars' Bobby stands at the south end of the bridge at the junction with Candlemaker Row.

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Related images

Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Chapels

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

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