West
Bow was a steep street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, leading
from the Grassmarket, up the hill to the Lawnmarket (the top of
the Royal Mile, leading from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood
Palace).
Before
the South Bridge and George IV Bridges provided routes to the
south from the Royal Mile, West Bow was the only means of access
for a wheeled carriage into this part of Edinburgh from the south.
The
lower portion of West Bow still exists. The upper portion
has been replaced by Victoria Street with its gentler slope
leading into George IV Bridge.
Some interesting
traditional shops can still be found in West Bow and Victoria
Street. |