Straining Well at Mugdock Reservoir before 1889

T. and R. Annan & Sons captured "Straining Well at Mugdock Reservoir" in a photograph, immortalizing a critical piece of infrastructure. The image reflects the Victorian era's preoccupation with public health and engineering marvels. This photograph speaks to the cultural values of the time, highlighting advancements in providing clean water to urban populations. The well, meticulously designed and surrounded by manicured landscapes, symbolizes progress and control over nature. Yet, beneath this veneer of progress, one has to consider the labor and resources required to build and maintain such a system. The image invites us to reflect on the relationship between urban development and the environment, and the complex ways in which infrastructure projects shape both the physical landscape and the lives of those who depend on them. It also encourages a deeper appreciation for the often unseen systems that support our daily lives.