East side of George IV Bridge

Category

Library Item

Item no

941

Title

East side of George IV Bridge

Description

A busy street scene with people, horse drawn trams, horse drawn carts and horse drawn carriages. The Sheriff Court House can be seen and St. Augustine's Church spire is in the distance. Awnings are out above shop fronts. A woman crosses the cobble stone road. A cyclist peddles his bicycle. Tramlines can be seen running along the street. Men walking beside a stone wall are carrying buckets. Along the pavement are street lamps. Smoke is coming out of a chimney.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1900

Size

15 x 21 cm.

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image has been chosen for the Edinburgh - Past and Present Exhibition by the Rt. Rev. Brian Smith, Bishop of Edinburgh - "At school and university the changing face of George IV Bridge became very familiar. This picture reminds me of my use of its libraries, my fascination with the two-tier arrangement of Edinburgh streets, and my gratitude to the ice-age for the glacial valleys that gave Edinburgh its special shape' The Rt. Rev. Brian Smith.

The date of this photograph is estimated. The view shows a horse-drawn tram; this route was replaced by cable cars in 1902.

The buildings to the left of the picture were demolished and replaced by the County Buildings and the Sheriff Court House was also demolished in 1938, making space for the building of the National Library of Scotland.

George IV Bridge was constructed in 1829-34 to improve access to the historic Old Town from the rapidly developing Southside. This elevated street runs from the junction of Candlemaker Row and Chambers Street to the Lawnmarket, passing over the Cowgate and Merchant Street. Almost directly opposite each other are the National Library of Scotland on the streets' east side and the Central Public Library on the west side. A memorial statue to Greyfriars' Bobby stands at the south end of the bridge at the junction with Candlemaker Row.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Government > National > Courthouses

People > Transportation > Passengers

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

Transport > Land > Horse-drawn trams