To deter any robbers

“The photograph on the right shows an image of Reform Street which readers will not have seen before,” writes Keith Walker of Dundee.

“To the south is the City Square and to the north lies the small meadow of Andro Barrie upon which Reform Street and Meadowside are built.

“The small watch tower is interesting – the site is the corner of Bank Street where a new restaurant with a view over the Howff is being constructed. The tower was built so that bereaved families could stand guard at night with a pistol to deter any grave robbers from conducting their vile trade in the Howff.

“Behind the tower is the rocky cliff which was on the site of Bank Street in the olden days. In the 16th Century there was a small fort on the top but it was replaced by a thatched cottage where the family kept a herd of mountain goats!

“By 1650, part of this wall and the south wall of the Howff formed part of the defensive town walls.

“When the cliffs were dynamited, the rubble was used to fill in the marsh land of Meadowside and provide a firm foundation for Dundee High School and, later, the McManus Galleries.

“By 1838, this east wall formed the ‘backdrop’ for Lamb’s early water gardens and coffee/tearooms. These wooden bungalows which stood on the site were later replaced by Lamb’s Hotel and the handsome offices of today on the corner of Meadowside and Reform Street.”

Keith Walker’s artwork shows the area around Reform Street, Dundee, in previous centuries. See left for more.

Some of the lovely roses in the garden of reader Harry Greig, Coupar Angus.