Calton Gaol and Arthur's Seat

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

11569

Title

Calton Gaol and Arthur's Seat from Waterloo Place, Edinburgh

Description

Calton Gaol sits at the side of a muddy Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. The jail has high walls and turrets. The pavement outside is lined with streetlights. Arthur's Seat can be seen in the background.

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

This is a glass negative from the Thomas Begbie Cavaye Collection which is held by City of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries.

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.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Crime and punishment > Crime and punishment facilities > Prisons

Landscape > Land > Hills

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton Hill

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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