Well Court and the Water of Leith

Category

Library Item

Item no

20501

Title

Well Court and the Water of Leith

Description

A steeplejack fits a clock face on to the clock tower at Well Court, Dean Village, Edinburgh. He is hanging down the side of the building, sitting on a rope-held seat. Two other men are looking over the edge of the tower, holding on to some of the many ropes that are hanging over the building. The top of the tower has a golden weather cock on it. The clock tower is surrounded by other buildings including one with oriole leaded windows. A low wall separates the buildings from the riverbank and the Water of Leith in the foreground.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2009

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Well Court is located in Dean Village, Edinburgh. It was commissioned by John Findlay, owner of The Scotsman and finished in 1886. Findlay instructed architect Sydney Mitchell to create model housing to accommodate 55 working class families. Tenents had to abide by strict rules which included a curfew (they were locked out if they got home late) and attending church. The houses have recently been renovated with the help of a grant from Edinburgh World Heritage.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Clocks and clock towers

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Industry > Steeplejacks

Places > Edinburgh areas > Dean

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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