Old Travel Blog Photograph Town House High Street Dundee Scotland

Old travel Blog photograph of people outside the Town House on the High Street, Dundee, Scotland. Built between 1732 and 1734, Dundee Town House was built in Classical style by William Adam. The building featured a steeple over 40 metres high, which rose from the centre of the roof. At ground level, arcades enclosing shops gave it the local name The Pillars. The council and guildry chambers were on the first floor with the jail above. The town house was repaired after a fire in 1771, extended to the rear in 1872, and demolished in 1932. The High Street existed by at least the 13th century. It gradually grew in importance as the original settlement spread westwards from Seagait. The Tron, Tolbooth and Market Cross were all sited here by the 15th century. It was the town's market place, its earlier names were The Cross, Highgait and Marketgait, then High Street by 1876. At its east end was the site of the town Shambles or slaughterhouse and butchers market in the 16th century. This was removed to the area of the foreshore when the Trades Hall was built in 1776, designed by Samuel Bell, the Town's architect. This gave tradesmen a meeting place under cover in place of their former open air Howff. It had shops on the ground floor with the principal rooms on the first. Demolished in 1878 and leaving exposed the Clydesdale Bank which was originally behind it. The opportunity was taken to widen both Murraygate and Seagate. The Mercat Cross was moved at least twice before its modern reproduction, but still featuring its 1586 carved shaft, which now stands in front of the City Churches.



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