General view of Esplanade and Victoria Street, Rothesay, Bute, from NNW

Description General view of Esplanade and Victoria Street, Rothesay, Bute, from NNW

Date 28/6/2011

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number DP 101675

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Rothesay grew up around the 13th-century circular Castle, becoming a royal burgh in 1400/1. The town expanded north along the High Street until two major phases of land reclamation in the 18th and 19th century. This shifted the main axis of the town along the shoreline, with the creation of Montague Street (mid- to late 18th century) and Victoria Street (1839-40). Subsequent development of the town took place along the shoreline, particularly as the town’s popularity as a tourist destination grew during the 19th century. The town centre has developed in a fairly ad hoc manner, as with so many historic towns. This has continued into the 21st century with redevelopment of historic buildings such as the Court House and other smaller infill. Following on from the second phase of reclamation, the Esplanade was developed as a pleasure garden for visitors in 1869-72. Built on the site of a former boatyard, this open area retains a series of paths running through and around it, with various flower beds, palms and other ornamental plants. There is also a putting green in the flat lawn areas between the Winter Gardens and the fountain. The Esplanade was developed as an open space for visitors to the town to take the air, and have a bracing stroll alongside the shore. Victoria Street developed in advance of the Esplanade, housing a variety of hotels and guest houses, plus shops, restaurants and pubs, as it still does today.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1239931

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap