West Bow. From the Castle Road. 1843.

This original antique steel engraving depicts the West Bow, Edinburgh, as seen from the Castle Road in 1843 — one of the most atmospheric and celebrated views in the entireMemorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time series.

Drawn by Sir Daniel Wilson and engraved by William Forrest for his landmark two-volume work, published in 1848, this print captures the West Bow at a pivotal moment in its history.

The West Bow was one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive and beloved streets — a winding, steeply-stepped thoroughfare connecting the Grassmarket to the Lawnmarket, lined with ancient timber-fronted tenements that had survived virtually unchanged since the medieval period.

By the time Wilson drew it in 1843, the street’s days were already numbered: the construction of Victoria Street in the 1840s swept away much of the lower West Bow, transforming the character of this ancient part of the Old Town forever.

Wilson’s view from the Castle Road captures the full drama of the street’s extraordinary topography, with the tenements cascading down the hill towards the Grassmarket below.

A vivid and historically significant piece of Edinburgh topographical art, and one of the most evocative subjects in the Memorials series.

The print is on a thin paper which has been adhered to a thicker paper for publication.

Subscript: Lower Left: Drawn by Daniel Wilson. Lower Right: Engd by William Forrest. Lower Center: Published by Hugh Paton, Adam Square, Edinburgh.

Author: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Publication: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time. By Daniel Wilson, F. S. S. A. Acting Secretary to the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland.

Volume: 1

Publisher: Hugh Paton / Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

Place of Publication: Adam Square, Edinburgh / London

Date: 1848

Artist: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Engraver: William Forrest

Page Number: Between pages 112–113

Paper Dimensions: 9 ½ x 12 inches

Medium: Steel Engraving

Language: English

Coloured: Black and white

Condition: The print is in great condition with a few spots of foxing and some wear around the edges of the print, as can be seen. The print is on a thin paper which has been adhered to a thicker paper for publication, as can be seen.

Reference: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, HathiTrust Digital Library