Detail of well-head at S end of Old Tolbooth Wynd, Edinburgh.

Description Detail of well-head at S end of Old Tolbooth Wynd, Edinburgh.

Date 27/5/2014

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

Catalogue Number DP 190188

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This shows a well-head in Old Tolbooth Wynd, Edinburgh. The wynd joins Canongate in the south to Calton Road (formerly North Back of Canongate) in the north, accessed via a round-arched pend under the tower of the Canongate Tolbooth. Behind the well-head is the tall stone boundary wall of the adjacent Canongate Kirkyard. The square, stone-built well-head probably dates from the early 19th century, but has had its original cast-iron door replaced with a modern vertical design with triangular pattern at the top. It is one of only three wells remaining on the Royal Mile. During the early 19th century, many wells were created along the length of the Canongate and High Street, providing not only improved sanitation and water supply to residents, but also a focus for much of the social and commercial activity which occurred in the streets at that time.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1427897

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap