West Bow

West Bow and Victoria Street

This view looks to from the Grassmarket towards the shops and houses in West Bow at the eastern end of the Grassmarket.

West bow used to be the only approach to Edinburgh Castle from the south.  It was a steep, winding street, but its upper part was replaced by Victoria Street when George IV Bridge was built in the early 19th century.

Victoria Street leads out of the picture to the left, past the black car.

The Cowgate, heading east towards Holyrood is almost straight ahead in the picture, but is hidden by the telephone box.  The turret above the telephone box is at the corner of Cowgate and Candlemakers' Row which leads up the hill to Greyfriars' Bobby and Greyfriars' kirk.

112 West Bow

I have been asked about 112 West Bow by three different people in the past month, January 2007. 

West Bow is the address of the address of Edmonston's Close, a small arch immediately to the right of the white shops (but hidden by the Police Information Box)  in the centre of the picture above.

However, it can be seen between the two white shops in this picture:

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Street Furniture

Also in this picture there are:

-  West Bow Well, dating from 1674.

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-  A telephone box and an 'Edinburgh-style' Police Box  -  once used by the police, and also by the public for making emergency telephone calls.  Many of these boxes can still be found in the streets of Edinburgh.  Some of them have been converted to coffee kiosks.

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-  A sign post with arms pointing to:

-  Museum of Scotland

-  Greyfriars' kirk

-  Magdelen Chapel

-  Flodden Wall

-  Castle Terrace Car Park.

-  A new post giving tourist information, beside the sign post, and behind the litter bin.