Cardinal Beaton's House, Cowgate

Category

Library Item

Item no

6867

Title

Cardinal Beaton's House, Cowgate

Description

The cobbled street of the Cowgate is narrow with tall dilapidated buildings. In the centre is Cardinal Beaton's House with projecting oriel windows. To the left is a grocer and spirit merchant's shop. On the right stone steps lead to a building. It has been raining recently and a puddle of water has collected on the street.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1870

Size

20.4 x 12.6 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume reads:
"29. View of the Cowgate looking east.
The house with the hexagonal turret was the Palace of Cardinal Beaton. The opening to the left, east of the abovementioned house is Blackfriars Wynd which has been widened and now forms Blackfriars Street. The building further east, projecting into the street is part of the old Scottish Mint."

Alexander Adam Inglis credited with production of print from the negative.

Cardinal Beaton's House was situated at the corner of the Cowgate and Blackfriars Wynd, now Blackfriars Street. It was built around the start of the 16th century. By the 19th century the once grand house had become a dilapidated, overcrowded rented dwelling, reflecting a general change in the Cowgate's character. The building was taken down in 1874, along with many other buildings in the area, under the 1867 Improvement Act.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Streets