General view of Old Tolbooth Wynd, Edinburgh, from NW.

Description General view of Old Tolbooth Wynd, Edinburgh, from NW.

Date 27/5/2014

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

Catalogue Number DP 190185

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This shows Old Tolbooth Wynd, and the rear elevation 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 the round-arched pend leading to Old Tolbooth Wynd (right). The two-storeyed-plus-attic, four-bayed section to the east (left) 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. This view looking south in Old Tolbooth Wynd shows the remains of a stone and brick boundary wall for the former gasworks (right) and a tall stone boundary wall on the left enclosing the churchyard of Canongate Kirk. The wynd runs between Canongate and Calton Road (formerly North Back of Canongate) via the arched pend under the Tolbooth tower. 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/1427894

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap