Cowgate. North Side near the Grassmarket

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

11274

Title

Cowgate. North side near the Grassmarket

Description

A row of buildings in the Cowgate, Edinburgh. The lower levels of the building are shops with houses above. A woman stands by the entrance to an alleyway on the left. The names of shops and businesses are printed on the outside of the building.

Artist / maker

Begbie, Thomas

Date

1858

Size

17.5 x 14.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

City Art Centre

Copyright

The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie Prints ; The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries

No.14 in volume.

Annotation below title reads 'Wilson in his memorials calls this "a fine antique stone land built around the reign of Charles I. From the style and apparent age of the building there can be little suggestion that its original occupants ranked among the Scottish aristoctacy".
It was demolished in 1859, the site being now occupied by the Cowgatehead Free Church. Known as Palfrey's tun [?]'

The Cowgate runs from its junction with St Mary's Street (formerly St Mary's Wynd) and the Pleasance to the Grassmarket. Cattle were driven along this route when entering Edinburgh from grazing land outside the city. The Cowgate Port was a gateway through the Flodden Wall situated at the street's east end.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

People > Adults > Women

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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