The West Bow, High Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

6705

Title

The West Bow, High Street

Description

An image of the Lawnmarket and the top of West Bow in Edinburgh. Tall tenement buildings line either side of the cobbled streets. Shops on the ground level include a china and stoneware shop and a woollen ragstore called Barron's. Washing hangs out of some of the tenement windows. To the right is a church building and part of St Giles Cathedral is visible down the street.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1868

Size

10.7 x 16.7 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.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Protestant churches

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

(55°56′55″N, 3°11′32″W)

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.