Low Calton

Category

Library Item

Item no

1119

Title

Low Calton

Description

The area of Low Calton in Edinburgh is filled with houses and a church. On the higher ground Calton Gaol is visible with its tower. Opposite the prison is Salisbury Crags and the hill of Arthur's Seat.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1818

Size

19 x 23 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Low Calton area of Edinburgh was situated in the ravine between Princes Street and Calton Hill, now spanned by Regent Bridge. 'Low Calton' referred specifically to the western half of the road passing through the ravine, this side being part of Edinburgh whilst the eastern side was in the Barony of Calton. This part of the city is now largely non-residential, and is occupied by the east section of Calton Road.

Calton Gaol was designed by Archibald Elliot as an alternative to Edinburgh's historic Tolbooth. It was located immediately to the south of Regent Road, overlooking Waverly Station. A Bridewell, or house of correction, designed by Robert Adam already stood on the site. The prison was opened in 1817, and closed in 1925 when the limited size of the premises necessitated a move to Saughton, the location of the present day prison. It was demolished, save the Governor's House which still stands, to make way for the Government Buildings of St Andrew's House.

Trinity College Church was founded in 1462 by Queen Mary of Gueldres and demolished in 1848 to make way for Waverley Station.

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Related subjects

Crime and punishment > Crime and punishment facilities > Prisons

Landscape > Land > Hills

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Protestant churches

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