IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Charles Street, MANCHESTER, M1 7DB

Former warehouse with a nice short brick and terracotta front to Charles Street and a long utilitarian brick one to Pritchard Street. Dated 1912 in the pediment (Image]). The variation in brick colour suggests it may have since been partly rebuilt. Now occupied by auctioneers Capes Dunn & Co. Behind is part of the railway viaduct between Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations.

Board on the wall of Image] telling the story of Kitty who became ‘Leddie Gowrie’ to anyone who can read colloquial Scottish. 'Twas on a simmer's afternoon, A wee afore the sun gaed doun, A lassie wi' a braw new goun Cam' owre the hills to Gowrie. The rosebud washed in simmer's shower Bloomed fresh within the sunny bower; But Kitty was the fairest flower That e'er was seen in Gowrie. To see her cousin she cam' there; And oh! the scene was passing fair, For what in Scotland can compare Wi' the Carse O' Gowrie? The sun was setting on the Tay, The blue hills melting into gray, The Mavis* and the blackbird's lay Were sweetly heard in Gowrie. O lang the lassie I had wooed, And truth and constancy had vowed, But could nae speed wi' her I lo'ed Until she saw fair Gowrie. I pointed to my fither's ha' - Yon bonnie bield ayont the shaw, Sae loun that there nae blast could blaw: - Wad she no bide in Gowrie? Her faither was baith glad and wae; Her mither she wad naething say; The bairnless thocht they wad get play If Kitty gaed to Gowrie. She whiles did smile, she whiles did greet; The blush and tear were on her cheek; She naething said, and hung her head; - But now she's Leddy Gowrie. Carolina Naime (1766 - 1845) * Mavis = song thrush

Fine Art auctioneers and valuers established in 1826. http://www.capesdunn.com/ Their premises on the corner of Charles Street and Pritchard Street date from 1912. The archway on the right carries the Piccadilly to Oxford Road railway line.

Architectural detail on Cape Dunns' Image Charles Street premises.

The Lass O’Gowrie pub, with its typical Victorian façade, is on Charles Street, next to the bridge over the River Medlock. In the late 1800's, this part of Manchester was known as "Little Ireland", mainly due to the large numbers of Irish immigrant workers living here. According to the pub’s website “Legend has it that the original landlord of the pub was not an Irishman, but a proud, homesick Scotsman who named the pub in honour of his favourite poem - 'the Lass O'Gowrie' written by the celebrated Scottish poet Lady Carolina Nairne.” A board on the corner of the pub recounts the poem which tells the story of Kitty who became ‘Leddie Gowrie’ to anyone who can read colloquial Scottish (Image]). The blue plaque fixed to the wall overlooking the river proudly marks the site of a urinal. It reads: HERE WAS THE SITE OF MANCHESTER’S OLDEST PISSOTIÈRE RETAINED FOR POSTERITY LAST USED A.D.1896 Image]

The Lass O’Gowrie pub, with its typical Victorian façade, is next to the bridge over the River Medlock. In the late 1800's, this part of Manchester was known as "Little Ireland", mainly due to the large numbers of Irish immigrant workers living here. According to the pub’s website “Legend has it that the original landlord of the pub was not an Irishman, but a proud, homesick Scotsman who named the pub in honour of his favourite poem - 'the Lass O'Gowrie' written by the celebrated Scottish poet Lady Carolina Nairne.” A board on the corner of the pub recounts the poem which tells the story of Kitty who became ‘Leddie Gowrie’ to anyone who can read colloquial Scottish (Image]).

The Lass 'O' Gowrie public house on Charles Street in Manchester.

A good terracotta front, brick above. Built c1900. Grade II listed. A much-favoured pub among students, particularly those from UMIST, during my student days in Manchester, 1985-88, when they brewed their own beer on site. '42 was particularly popular. I understand they no longer do this. More pub info here: Image On the right is a bit of bridge over the River Medlock.

A cobbled cul-de-sac behind the Lass of Gowrie.

Poem by Carolina Nairne on the Lass o' Gowrie pub on Charles Street Image