This is a little footbridge over a tributary of the Water of Leith. The stone building is one of the three Ladies' Grottos near this part of the river. These grottos were built in the 1750s by Robert Bowie who was the landscape gardener for the Redhall Estate who owned this area in those days. The purpose of the grottos was to give the ladies somewhere to rest while their menfolk go hunting.
For Sunday Bridges
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19 comments:
Such a romantic and mysterious place:)
Lovely place--looks like a great setting for a marriage proposal (or even a wedding, for that matter!)
it looks like an almost wild and overgrown forest.
A very nice footbridge and I love the Ladies grottos. What a masculine idea. LOL MB
I think I would like to have lived during that era. I guess the men wanted their ladies to be happy while they were out and about. I can’t help but wonder what the ladies talked about when they were in the grotto. Would love to have been a fly on the wall back then. Your capture of this romantic scene is lovely.
i love how you framed this footbridge. this must be a beautiful area. the stone grotto is quite interesting.
such lovely history and a tranquil setting
Such a great story! It was kind of Mr. Bowie to build such a place.
I can hear the rustle of dresses and giggling!
I'm sure I would enjoy crossing this bridge to check out the grottos. Times sure have changed, haven't they?
Lovely photo. It takes you back to another time.
They talked about men! Duh!
An interesting glimpse of times gone by, and how picturesque it is even today. Thanks for the history to go along with the photo :)
Ah so lovely!
I know that little hut very well as I have passed it often on my walks. I always imagined it as a hermit's small dwelling. I love how the inside window looks out over the water.
Thanks for sharing this nice information about the grotto. It's good to know about these wonderful places to visit.
There is a lovely grotto at Stourhead gardens too!
I hope to be out and about this year to see the National Trust homes and gardens.
Have a good week!
Jo.
One of those times when I feel the women got the better deal!
What a lovely idea. Somewhere for the ladies to rest. I would much rather do that than be involved in hunting. Perhaps women didn't hunt in those days though. Wouldn't it be lovely to go back in the past to hear their conversations?
What a lovely location and neat little bridge.
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