Falkirk: The Steeple
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Falkirk: The Steeple by Chris Downer as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Falkirk: The Steeple
Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 12 Oct 2009
The Steeple stands alongside the Market Place on the High Street and is the third to occupy the site. The first was a 16th or 7th century structure which was demolished in 1697 having become unsafe. The second suffered from serious subsidence after its foundations became damaged – it was demolished in 1803. The current structure cost £1,460 to erect in 1814. It was designed by David Hamilton and built by Henry Taylor using sandstone from the quarry at nearby Brightons. It is 140 feet high and, at ground level, is 22 feet square, and has not been without further difficulties: The upper 40 feet of the tower were replaced after being struck by lightning in June 1927. A horse belonging to Barr & Co., aerated water manufacturers, was killed by the falling masonry and its driver injured. The town jail was once housed within The Steeple, and two cells on the upper floors, accessed by a narrow spiral staircase, survive.
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Image Location
Latitude
55.999298
Longitude
-3.784252