Site type WELL
Canmore ID 160807
Site Number NT27SE 25.02
NGR NT 2576 7344
Council EDINBURGH, CITY OF
Parish EDINBURGH (EDINBURGH, CITY OF)
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District CITY OF EDINBURGH
Former County MIDLOTHIAN

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Archaeological Notes

NT27SE 25.02 2576 7344

NT 2576 7344 During restoration works in 1998 at Tailor's Hall on the S side of the Cowgate, a large well, approximately 3m in diameter, was uncovered in the N courtyard. This was located halfway along and against the S wall of Tailor's Hall, with the foundations of the building forming the S side of the well. The E side was dominated by a large modern iron pipe with iron girders spanning the well in an E-W direction. In the W it appeared to cut bedrock. To the N a stone-built arch formed the side; this was blocked, at least partly, by bricks. The arch may form the entrance to a N-S tunnel connecting a number of wells in this area. At 2.6m below ground level, the sides of the well stepped in to a round, brick-lined shaft full of water. The shaft also contained concrete, reinforcing cables and ironwork, possibly capping or the support for a pumping mechanism.
The well is thought to be Early Modern in date and related to the brewing industry.
Sponsor: City of Edinburgh Council.
J N Robertson 1999

Robertson, J N (1999b) 'Tailor's Hall, Cowgate (City parish of Edinburgh), well', Discovery Excav Scot
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