12 August 2009: George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

On 14 August 1827, the foundation stone for George IV Bridge was laid.  Designed by architect Thomas Hamilton (1784-1858), the bridge was built as part of the Improvement Act of 1827, to provide better access to the Old Town for people travelling from the expanding south side of the city.

The multi-arch bridge carries an elevated street, 300m in length, from Bank Street on the Mound to Chambers Street.  Of the nine arches in its construction, only two are visible crossing the Cowgate and Merchant Street.  The remaining arches provide vaults and cellars for the high buildings which rise from ground level on the Cowgate to well above the second street level of the bridge.  Two streets, namely Old Bank Close and Liberton’s Wynd had to be demolished to make way for the structure.  Today George IV Bridge is home to the National Library of Scotland and Edinburgh City Library.