As you come up the Mound from Princes Street and emerge onto the Royal Mile, a long street stretches ahead of you. It is only after you gain some familiarity with the twists and winds of this two-tiered city that you realise what you see is not a street at all, but a bridge. George IV Bridge is lined with buildings and shops, but passes over the Cowgate and into the centre of Edinburgh University along the way.
The Cowgate as it runs under George IV Bridge
[image credit: Peter Nijenhuis]
Life on George Bridge
Built between 1829 and 1832, George IV Bridge is a centre of knowledge and culture – but really, what parts of the centre of Edinburgh aren’t? Once you leave the Royal Mile, there is some initial construction, but once you reach Victoria Street (a winding street which is rumoured to be the basis for J.K. Rowling’s Knockturn Alley, and if you stand at the bottom of Victoria Street and look up you’ll know why) you find yourself surrounded by history and knowledge.
Sunset on George IV Bridge's south end with Candlemaker Row to the left.
[image credit: Aaron G Stock]
The National Library of Scotland is to the east side of the street, while the central branch of the Edinburgh City Libraries is on the west.
Edinburgh's Central Library on George IV Bridge.
[image credit: shimgray]
The latter is open to any resident of the city at no cost, while the former is an archive which has a right to a copy of every book published in Scotland and is used primarily for students and scholars doing research on their work. The City Library offers computer sign ins with internet use, free of charge, for its registered users.
Further along the bridge, one can peer down onto the Cowgate before heading into Bar Kohl, the city’s premiere vodka bar (try the Vampire Martini, or one of the myriad of shots available, with helpful bartenders who will gladly provide water for those who over-imbibe). Across the street is The Elephant House, a gorgeous cafe with another Potter connection.
The Elephant House on George IV Bridge is rumoured to be the birthplace of Harry Potter.
[image credit: tstadler]
Chambers Street with its museums and Greyfriar’s Kirk (including a statue of the famous dog Bobby) are also found along the bridge.
The south end of George IV Bridge in Edinburgh with the wee statue of Greyfriar's Bobby.
[image credit: andyhayes.com]
At the opposite end of George IV Bridge is the Bedlam Theatre, home to the Edinburgh University Theatre Company, which presents original work.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
The first photo on this page is of South Bridge and not George IV. The building on the right of the photo with floodlights and banners is the original site of the gilded balloon fringe venue which burnt down in a fire a few years ago, and you can see the railings on the bridge which are a very different style.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
My bad, of course you are right Dave! I have now replaced the photo (this was the original). Many thanks for your comment, very helpful indeed :)