South Bridge

Heritage listing

Category B Group Category Details 100000019 - See Notes Date Added 14/12/1970 Local Authority Edinburgh Planning Authority Edinburgh Burgh Edinburgh NGR NT 25980 73492 Coordinates 325980, 673492 — Probably Alexander Laing and Robert Kay (see Notes), 1786-8. 19- span, round-arched, road bridge with 1 single visible arch over Cowgate; extended to W in 1929. Other, rubble arches concealed under later buildings. Ashlar to exposed arch, channelled rustication to piers. Dentilled parapet. Cast-iron railings to street (South Bridge). 1929 extension to West elevation to Cowgate: segmental key-stoned arch with 3 windows above with raised architraves. — A Group with the South Bridge and Nos 4-13, 19-67 and 87-99 South Bridge and 9 and 10 Hunter Square and 107-108 South Bridge. The South Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering and town planning which was developed to provide a link between the expanding suburbs on the South side of the city and the High Street of the Old Town. It is notable for having only one visible arch, with the others being concealed below the buildings which line both sides of the bridge. It was built as a continuation of the North Bridge (see separate listing) and was driven through and over one of the most densely populated sections of the city. Many buildings and some narrow closes and wynds were demolished in order to construct it. When complete, it became and remains, one of the main thoroughfares to and from the city. In 1753, the City of Edinburgh obtained an Act of Parliament which paved the way for a series of improvements throughout the city to allow its expansion. The steep ravine of the Cowgate had been a hindrance to any substantial growth of the city to the South and as the Southern suburbs were expanding, a bridge became a necessary feature

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.