Brown's Close, Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

1740

Title

Brown's Close, Grassmarket

Description

Towards the foreground is a streetlamp with an electric lightbulb. Metal handrails are attached along one side of the buildings. A cobbled path runs through the close. Steps lead to one of the buildings. The buildings have windows, doorways and pipes.

Artist / maker

Chrystal, Francis M.

Date

1923

Size

21 x 12.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Despite living in the New Town, Stevenson was well acquainted with the shabby charm of Edinburgh's Old Town. The author was known to frequent some of the less respectable establishments in this area, especially during his bohemian university days. This image shows the tenements, dark closes and narrow wynds characteristic of the Old Town at this time.

The Grassmarket is a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. It has been the site of many public executions. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights