0879 Greenmarket Shopping area and Chopping block and Pub's in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Greenmarket

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From the shadow of Edinburgh Castle the Grassmarket continuss to be "a place of bustle and life" within the city's United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Orgaization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.In the Greenmarket the past literally lays the foundation for how we used the space a many buildings occupy ancient sites.The area also retains such a traverns and shops which have been here since the 1500s and continues to be a popular attraction.The architecture that surrouvds the square set the backdrop to many infamous stories some of which involve the site former gallows.

 

Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town were inscribed as a World Heritage in 1995 recognising the Old Town's Medieval street pattern and formal planning of the New Town.The layout of the Gressmarket is still according to the regulations laid down by the medieval burgh magistrates and it is testament to them that it maintains an historical streetscape that copes with contemporary demands on the space.

 

The Grassmarket's origin lie with it being in a valley,which meant it was easier for livestock and carts to access rather than having to negotiate the steep slope up to the Old Town.For this reson the area was probable used as a market from the 1300s.Originally the site of cattle fairs,various stables and yards were built around the market for the cattle to be fattened and butched before taken to the meat market.This ended around 1670 when the market become used more as a transit point where traders would bring in their goods before unloading carts and carrying them up the West Bow into the city by barrow or potter.Indoor corn markets were located in the area until 1912 and open air market continue to this day.

 

A central feature of the Grassmarket is the Bow Well built in 1681 as the first piped outlet of running water in Edinburgh.Although renovated in the late 1700s it kept the original Robert Milne design.Next to the well is the Covenanter's memorial which stands as a humble reminder to Grassmarket's place in the history of Edinburgh as the site of the city's gallows.The history of the Grassmarket and the gallows are inextricabley linked,its is difficult to think of them without you head conjuring up images of body snatcher William Burke and William Hare,the unluky Captain John Porteous of the Edinburgh Town Guard,and half-hingit Maggie Dickson who actually survived the experience.The White Hart Pub is a reminder of the other historical figures who are known to have stayed here,including the pote William Wordsworth and Robert Burns,who spent hios last night in Edinburgh here in 1791.

 

most of the building in the Grassmarket date from the 1800s following a period of improvment in the Old Town.Several building from the 1700's survive on the northern side and eastern side most notable the White Hart Inn.Sadly only one complet building remains from the 1600's at the entance to Victoria Street,which dates from 1616.This makes the building the oldest in the Grassmarket and in its day would have been of high status as much of the town was built of wood. However,stone from older buildings was often reused as you can sea at number 74-82,which was built in the 1930's but incorporates an earlier door frame date 1634.This mixure of old and new can be seen in the innovative new Dance Base,Scotland's national center for dance.

 

It is this history that make the Grassmarket a unique setting for 21st century life while also providing inspriation for further enhancement..

 

Edinburgh

Greenmarket

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The Greenmarket is an historic market square in the Old Town of Edinburgh,Scotland.In relation to the rest of the city the area is hollow,as below surrounding ground levels.

 

Locations

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The Grennmarket is located directly south-east of Edinburgh Castle with the castle dominating veiws northwards from the space.It adjoins the Cowgate to the east,the West Bow (leading to Victoria Street) to the north-east,King's Stables Road to the north-west and the West Port to the west.Leading off the Greenmarket on its south-west corner is the Vennel,on the east side of which can still be seen some of the best remaining parts of the Flodden Wall and Telfer Wall city walls.

 

History

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The Greenmarket was,from 1477-1911,one of Edinburgh's main market for horses and cattle.It was also setting for public execution.

 

A popular story in Edinburgh is that of Maggie Dickson,a fishwife fromMusselburgh who was hanged in the Greenmarket in 1728 for murdering her own baby.After the hanging, her body was taken back to Musselburgh in a coffin However,on the way there she awoke.Under Scots Law she had served her punishment.Only later were the words "until dead" added to the sentence of hanging.It was also to some extert seen as divine intervention,and so she was allowed to go free.There is now a pub name after Maggie situated on the Greenmarket

 

For most of its history the Greenmarket was one of the poorer areas of the city.This was reflected in number of hostels (including the Salvation Army) for the homeless which existed here until the 1980s.From the 1980s.property prices started to rise sharply.

The area is,and always had been,dominated by a serie of public houses.In recent years many have become more family-friendly,and include dining area.The council has recently futher encouraged this to spill onto the pavements,giving more European atmosphere to the space.

 

Architure

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The old market area is surrounded by pubs,club,local retail shops,and two large Apex Hotels.Many students live in the Greenmarket,through its openness (due to the large market space) and proximity to the center to town now tend to increrese house prices.

 

Most buildings are victorian but some as the White Hart Inn its encompassing tenenemt are early 18th century.Several modern buildings disrupt the unity of the otherwise old streetscape.

 

Modern Developments

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The Greenmarket was re-developed a project.Measures aiming to make the area more pedestrain-friendly included the extension of pavemont cafe area and the creation and "envent zone".

 

The "shadow" of a gibbet was added in the dark paving on the former gallows site (next to the Covenanters monument).

 

The line of the Flodden Wall was also delineated at the west end of the Greenmarket, linking from the Vennel to the newely created Ganny's Green Steps.

 

Biddy Milligans

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Biddy Mulligan is,as the name suggets,an Irish them pub.It is also the most easterly of the six attractive pubs that arrayed the north side of Edinburgh's Greenmarket.

 

Inside you find a large main room panelled in dark wood with another room beyond that is quieter at busy times.The island bar occupies the center of the main room.The Irish theming is applied fairly lighty and apart from Guinness promotions and the Irish sports on the Televion,it's sometimes hard to remember you aren't in any of Edinburgh many other Gothic pubs interiors,which is by means a criticism.

 

Biddy Mulligan's can be very busy at times.Very popular with students during term times,its location on Greenmarket also puts it firmly on the tourist trail,and it also features on established circuits for stag parties and hen parties.

 

There no real ales availabe,though many other driks,both hot and cold,certainly are,as is food.Live Irish music and Folk music is often featured,and the pub can cater for parties of up to 45 people.

 

There are a number of "Biddy Mullian" pubs in various places around the world.The origin of the name is a character,A Dublin window,created by Irish comedian and music hall singer Jimmy O'Dea in the 1930s and 1940s.She is perhaps best remember for featuring in the song Biddy Mulligan the pride of the Coombe.

 

 

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