An aerial view of Edinburgh Castle and the New Town

Category

Library Item

Item no

14944

Title

Edinburgh Castle, Johnston Terrace, Grassmarket and New Town, aerial view

Description

An aerial view of Edinburgh Castle showing the defensive walls and the Esplanade. Beyond the Castle are Princes Street Gardens and the buildings of the New Town.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1982

Size

20.3 x 24.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the city's most famous landmark. It stands on top of the remaining core of an extinct volcano. Excavations suggest the site was inhabited by Bronze Age man as early as 900 BC, and was fortified by Iron Age man roughly 2000 years ago. The oldest part of the present day Castle is St Margaret's Chapel, built in the early 12th century. The Castle holds the Honours of Scotland and more recently has welcomed back the Stone of Scone otherwise known as the Stone of Destiny.

Johnston Terrace forms part of Thomas Hamilton's plan for a new western approach to Edinburgh. The plan was authorised by parliament in 1827 and Johnston Terrace, then referred to as the New West Approach, was opened in the mid 1830's. Its name was changed in 1850 in honour of Sir William Johnston, Lord Provost of Edinburgh 1848-51.

Copyright Historic Environment Scotland, Aerofilms collection

Find out more information at Historic Environment Scotland.

View a map of Edinburgh Castle and the New Town

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh