The Earthen Mound

Category

Library Item

Item no

24744

Title

The Earthen Mound

Description

Two large circular tents with flags on top stand at the head of the Mound, Edinburgh. The edge of the site is surrounded by a rough wooden fence along the edge of which people and carts are walking along. The Scottish National Gallery can be seen at the bottom of the Mound. In the distance to the right stand the arches of the North Bridge and above it, the monuments on Calton Hill.

Artist / maker

Le Conte, John

Date

1835

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The back of the painting is annotated with the following description by the artist - " No.21 The Earthen Mound in 1835 & 36. This is a great accumulation of rubble and earth across the North Loch. Originated in a rough line of steps. Laid by a Lawnmarket shopkeeper - and popularly called "Geordie Boyd' Brig" was formed from 1781to 1830 from excavation of the Old and New Town - is completed at 2 millions cart loads of 6d a load about £50,000. 800 feet in length and about 300 in breadth. It was a great resort for travelling caravans and circuses. In the distance is seen the Little Mound, Canal Street and Old Slaughter Houses. Marshall's Panorama and Aldock's Panorama and Wombells Menagerie are represented as they stood at that period"

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Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Circuses

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Marquees

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Panoramas

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Swimming pools

(55°57′3″N, 3°11′46″W)

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