Grassmarket
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Grassmarket is a small area of central Edinburgh, Scotland. It is named after the old market square at the heart of the district.
The Grassmarket is located 5 minutes southeast of Edinburgh Castle and comprises what was in centuries past one of Edinburgh main markets as well as the setting for public executions. The old market is surround by a large number of pubs, a couple of clubs, a number of local retail shops and a 2 large hotels. This area is also quite highly populated with students, though its openness (due to the large open market area) tends to increase house prices as well as its proximity to the centre of town.
It is here that some of the tallest buildings in the city exist, some eight or nine stories high (and due to the age of the housing a storey is 11 or 12 feet high - just under 4 meters). These heights are not readily apparent due to the depression that the Grassmarket resides in and due to the dominance of Castle Rock above the area.
Grassmarket adjoins Cowgate on the east, the Royal Mile on the north, Lothian Road to the west, Forrest Hill to the southeast, Tollcross to the southwest and an area to the south; this area takes up the area between the Grassmarket and the Meadows, Forrest Hill and Tollcross and consists of a primary and secondary private school, George Heriot's School); the Edinburgh College of Art; the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site; the Vennel, the old city wall; and a very small number of residential flats.
As of 2004, the Royal Infirmary site is being redeveloped into flats and a new hotel. The site masterplan was designed by Norman Foster, and the hotel by Richard Murphy. Of the hospital buildings, only the original David Bryce buildings are being retained.
| Areas of Edinburgh |
|---|
| Other articles in this category |
