Police investigating street performer spotted using 350-year-old well as tightrope anchor
The West Bow well was constructed in 1674 and is a Category-A listed monument
Police are investigating concerns over the behaviour of a festival street performer who has been spotted using a Category A-listed well in the Grassmarket as a tightrope anchor.
He has been seen on several occasions tying a rope around the 350-year-old West Bow Well, at the foot of Victoria Street, before standing on the trough and attempting to walk along the makeshift tightrope, often wearing only his pants and socks.
He has reportedly performed at the Old Town site several times over the last two weeks, and according to some locals is performing as many as two or three times a day.
Grassmarket is not one of the pitches operated by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which oversees the carefully managed open-air performances on the Royal Mile and the Mound, and it is understood the performer is not affiliated with the festival.
The performances have sparked concerns among locals about potential damage to the historic well, which was built in 1674.
One resident living nearby, who wished to remain anonymous, said she is worried the performance could harm the intricate monument, and already has concerns some of the horse sculptures on the well have been damaged.
“I’m not bothered about the performance itself or the nudity aspect and I understand why performers want to come to the Grassmarket,” she said.
“I’m just worried it about the potential damage. Instinctively it feels like tying a trope and standing on such a historic well is wrong.”
Edinburgh council confirmed the issue had been raised by its new city ambassador team, which is being funded by the city’s visitor levy, and said complaints about his conduct had been passed to the police.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of complaints and enquiries are ongoing to establish if there is any criminality.”
The West Bow well was was built by architect Robert Mylne under the supervision of Sir William Bruce in 1674, and restored 200-years later in 1861.
It was the first well head built to supply water to the Grassmarket from the reservoir at Castle Hill, which was filled by the springs from the Pentland hills.