General view of 185-209 Fountainbridge, and North British Rubber Works, Gilmore Park, Edinburgh, from the north-west

Description General view of 185-209 Fountainbridge, and North British Rubber Works, Gilmore Park, Edinburgh, from the north-west

Date 13/8/2014

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

Catalogue Number DP 195105

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content In the late 17th century the Fountainbridge area was known as 'Foullbridge', or the bridge or ford which crossed the Foullburn or common sewer (Dalry Burn). This bridge was sited around the north end of Gilmore Park. The name Fountainbridge became more commonly used by the mid-18th century, taking its name from a well opposite the south end of Grove Street. ‘Fountain Bridge’ first appears as a name on the western edge of Alexander Kincaid’s map of 1784, as part of the road to Glasgow. Development took place rapidly along this thoroughfare throughout the 19th century, particularly following the construction of the Union Canal in 1818-22. The resulting industrialisation along the banks of the canal saw a rapid expansion in this area with tenements built to house the workers. This block of tenements (left) on the corner with Gilmore Park are sole survivors on this section of the south side of Fountainbridge, with the demolition of the Fountain Brewery which had surrounded them. The office block for the former North British Rubber Works is the only other surviving building from the vast brewery site, and is seen here on the other side of Gilmore Park (right). Based on map evidence it appears that these four-storeyed tenements replaced other mid-19th century houses on this site at the turn of the 19th/20th century. The front elevation is very plain in style, with corniced hoodmoulds above the first-floor windows, while the rear elevation has more interest with red sandstone dressings to the windows and quoins. The corner above the ground floor shop is chamfered and corbelled at first and second floor level.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1436777

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap