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Latitude: 55.9495 / 55°56'58"N
Longitude: -3.1922 / 3°11'31"W
OS Eastings: 325648
OS Northings: 673577
OS Grid: NT256735
Mapcode National: GBR 8NG.WS
Mapcode Global: WH6SL.YQ3F
Plus Code: 9C7RWRX5+Q4
Entry Name: Well, Parliament Square, High Street, Edinburgh
Listing Name: High Street, the Lawnmarket Wellhead (At Lothian Chambers)
Listing Date: 14 December 1970
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 365257
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB27903
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Edinburgh, High Street, Parliament Square, Well
ID on this website: 200365257
Location: Edinburgh
County: Edinburgh
Town: Edinburgh
Electoral Ward: City Centre
Traditional County: Midlothian
Tagged with: Well
1835. Large square-plan wellhead of ashlar construction. Substantial plinth supported by leveling step; water outlet to N (now blocked). Main body tapering slightly with moulded panels to each face; surmounted by shallow pyramid cap with moulded cornice.
This wellhead is a good and rare example of its type, prominently situated in a key location at the corner George IV Bridge and the Lawnmarket. Built in 1835, it probably replaced a cistern removed during the construction of the George IV Bridge circa 1675. The cistern provided water from Comiston Springs via the Castehill Reservoir for public use. Its value to the 19th century inhabitants of the Old Town in terms of improved sanitation and general amenity was critical. A further wellhead of a similar date survives at Queensbury House at the other end of the Royal Mile (see separate listing). The wellheads of the High Street perfomed an important social meeting place where long queues would form. They fell into disuse in the 19th century when supplies to individual houses became widespread.
List description updated at resurvey (2007/08).
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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