The People of Gibraltar
1704 - Devil's Gorge - El Tio del Capote

This is the name given to a rocky area just below Buena Vista Barracks and well below Windmill Hill flats. It was and is more commonly known as Glen Rocky. Both names are obviously of British origin but I have found it impossible to give a date as to when either was first used.  



Two rather nondescript views of the otherwise quite impressive gorge both of which may nevertheless be two of the oldest extant photos - ( 1870s - Taken by the photographer on board HMS Challenger during its scientific voyage )  (See LINK)


Buena Vista Barracks top left with the Gorge below the bridge  ( Late 19th century ) 


Postcard      ( 1870s -HMS Challenger collection ) 

For reasons which I find odd several important buildings were constructed right in the depth of the “glen.”


The residence of Sir James Cochrane, Chief Justice of Gibraltar from 1841 to 1877 – One of Gibraltar’s many caves- appropriately called  the Judge’s Cave - was discovered in the mid 19th century in its gardens   (  1866 - Charles Lygon Somers Cocks ) (See LINK


U.S. Naval Hospital in the Devil’s Gorge   (1918 – Taken during US Admiral Niblack’s visit )


Unknown buildings inside the Gorge

The whole area was once considered by some to be rather sinister.  During the mid 20th century rumours persisted that the place was the haunt of a bogyman known colloquially as el tio del capote. More cynical Gibraltarians were of the opinion that the fellow was just somebody looking for a bit of privacy to be with his mistress – although I must admit that I would never have thought it the most pleasant of places for such purposes.