The Old Tolbooth, Heart of the Loudens (Lothians)

Category

Library Item

Item no

621

Title

The Old Tolbooth, Heart of the Loudens (Lothians)

Description

A view of the Old Tolbooth in Edinburgh. The building has turrets and many windows. Two men stand on the flat roof at the end of the building, above them a wooden gibbet protrudes from the wall. The arched windows and buttresses of the neighbouring building can be seen on the right.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1817

Size

17 x 21 cm.

Type

Wash drawing

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Heart of Midlothian, situated next to the west door of St Giles Cathedral, marks the spot where the city tollbooth stood until its demolition in 1817. The Tollbooth was the Edinburgh's administrative centre and prison, and was also the site of many executions. Dislike for this institution was shown by spitting on its step, a habit which persists today at the cobbled heart.

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Related subjects

Government > Local > Tolbooths

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Cathedrals

Religion > Religious facilities > Protestant churches

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