Lawnmarket and head of West Bow

Category

Library Item

Item no

2932

Title

Lawnmarket and head of West Bow

Description

The Lawnmarket and West Bow in Edinburgh. Horse-drawn carts travel along the High Street which has housing and tenement buildings on either side. Shops have canopies over their windows. St Giles Cathedral is partially visible.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1870

Size

14.9 x 19.8 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Lawnmarket is the section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile running from its junction with Johnston Terrace to where it meets George IV Bridge. Regular markets were held in this area until the late 18th century.

Edinburgh's West Bow was zig-zagging street which led up from the Grassmarket to the top of the Lawnmarket. The street was interrupted by the construction of Victoria Street and Terrace between 1829-34. Its lower section joining the Grassmarket remains, and the line of the old street can be followed via a staircase to the Upper Bow. Traffic now follows Victoria Street from the West Bow up to George IV Bridge.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

(55°56′54″N, 3°11′40″W)

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