Detail of decorative stonework to dormer gables at City Museum, Canongate Tolbooth, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh.

Description Detail of decorative stonework to dormer gables at City Museum, Canongate Tolbooth, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh.

Date 27/5/2014

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

Catalogue Number DP 190174

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This shows two attic dormers on the eastern section of Canongate Tolbooth, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh. Dating from 1591, the Tolbooth 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. This two-storeyed-plus-attic, four-bayed section to the east 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 corbel-bracketed attic floor, topped with star and thistle stone finials. Within this eastern section is a large metal war memorial on the ground floor. Above this at first floor level is a carved pedimented armorial panel bearing a stag's head with Latin inscription 'SIC ITUR AD ASTRA 1128' (which translates as 'Thus is the way to the stars'). Within the pediment above is carved 'I R 6 IUSTICIAE PIETAS VALIDE SUNT PRINCIPIS ARCES' translating literally as 'Justice, piety, valid(ity) are Princely heights/citadels'. 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/1427882

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap