Steel Bridge over Union Canal in Its Original Position

Category

Library Item

Item no

21093

Title

Steel Bridge over Union Canal in its original position in Fountainbridge, St Cuthbert's Store building

Description

A steel bridge crosses over the Union Canal in Fountainbridge. There is a walkway to the left of the canal. A small boat sits on the canal. St Cuthbert's Co-operative Society headquarters has gables and a turret.

Artist / maker

Chrystal, Francis M.

Date

1920

Size

18.9 x 25.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Union Canal was opened in 1822. It ran from Tollcross in Edinburgh to meet the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk, thus linking the capital to Glasgow. After extensive renovation in the 1990's the Canal is now a popular area for recreation, with non-commercial craft using the waterway and many cyclists, walkers and runners using the towpath.

The St Cuthbert's Cooperative was formed in 1859 and their first store opened that year in Ponton Street, Edinburgh. The society soon expanded and by the end of the nineteenth century it was one of the largest cooperatives in Britain. In 1959 St Cuthbert's opened the first supermarket in Scotland, which was on Leven Street. Throughout its history St Cuthbert's amalgamated with various different societies and following a merger in 1981 became known as Scotmid.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Chimneys

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Turrets

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Steel bridges

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