Library Item

627

A walk through Edinburgh (Tolbooth Well)

A woman is filling a barrel with water while other women queue at the well. Some of the women are sitting. A woman walks away with a barrel on her back. A town crier wearing a hat, breeches and a long coat is ringing a bell. The artist has written "A walk thro' Edinr" 1817 on the side of the well.

1817

12 x 12 cm.

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Tollbooth was 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 which marks where it stood.