Old Mint, Cowgate, Edinburgh

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

11429

Title

Old Mint, Cowgate, Edinburgh

Artist / maker

Begbie, Thomas

Date

1887

Size

8.3 x 17.1 cm

Type

Glass negative

Location

City Art Centre

Copyright

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

The Mint in was originally located close to Holyroodhouse, but was moved to Edinburgh Castle in 1559. It was moved again in 1574 to the Cowgate, where it operated until the Act of Union in 1707.

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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