Low Calton

Category

Library Item

Item no

5091

Title

From the east back of Shakespeare Square, the houses on the fore ground form the west side of the Low Calton

Description

People congregate around cottages in a state or disrepair. Behind these buildings are temement housing and an arch of the Regent Bridge. In the distance are the buildings of Calton Gaol.

Artist / maker

Somerville, Daniel

Date

1818

Size

19.4 x 31 cm

Type

Pencil work

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Shakespeare Square stood at the junction of North Bridge and Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. It was the location of Edinburgh's Theatre Royal until the demolition of the theatre and square in 1859 to make way for the General Post Office building. This building still stands on the site.

The Low Calton area of Edinburgh was situated in the ravine between Princes Street and Calton Hill, now spanned by Regent Bridge. 'Low Calton' referred specifically to the western half of the road passing through the ravine, this side being part of Edinburgh whilst the eastern side was in the Barony of Calton. This part of the city is now largely non-residential, and is occupied by the east section of Calton Road.

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Related subjects

Crime and punishment > Crime and punishment facilities > Prisons

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

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