General view of 167-169 Canongate, Edinburgh, from SW.

Description General view of 167-169 Canongate, Edinburgh, from SW.

Date 27/5/2014

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number DP 190169

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This shows the early 17th-century tenement at 167-9 Canongate, Edinburgh, adjacent to Canongate Tolbooth, 163 Canongate. The tenement at 167-9 Canongate has retained most of its 17th-century features, including the rusticated rubble stonework, slightly projecting stairtower (left) giving access to the upper storeys with a crowstepped gable (left), and the multi-paned, timber-framed sash and case windows. The public house on the ground floor has a slightly bowed window. The pedimented dormer windows nearest the Tolbooth are topped with crescent (left) and thistle (right) stone finials. Canongate Tolbooth dates from 1591, though was restored by Robert Morham (1839-1912) in 1879 and 1884. Built in a so-called Franco-Scottish style, it consists of a conical-spired square-plan tower with corbelled bartizan turrets flanking the ogee-roofed, bracketed projecting clock, all above a round-arched pend leading to Old Tolbooth Wynd. The two-storeyed-plus-attic, four-bayed section to the east (right) formerly contained the council chamber. This section has a forestair leading to first-floor level with cast-iron railings, and four pedimented dormers to the attic, topped with star and thistle stone finials. The Tolbooth now houses 'The People's Story' museum, which tells the stories of Edinburgh residents from the 18th century to present day through a variety of displays and objects. The former jail within the building forms part of the museum display.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1427876

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap