Cowgate Head, entrance from Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

779

Title

Cowgate Head, entrance from Grassmarket

Description

A street scene outside Cowgate Head, Edinburgh, shows a man leading a horse and cart while a child pushes a wheelbarrow. Other people stand in the street or climb the external staircases to the first floor to watch the road below. A street lamp is attached to the building on the left.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1827

Size

21 x 16 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Cowgate runs from its junction with St Mary's Street (formerly St Mary's Wynd) and the Pleasance to the Grassmarket. It was the route by which cattle were driven into town from outside Edinburgh. The Cowgate Port was a gateway through the Flodden wall (City Wall).

The Grassmarket is a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The area continues to be a popular area for socialising. The Grassmarket was also the site of many public executions.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

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