General view of Old Town from St George's Church

Category

Library Item

Item no

12591

Title

General view of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town from St George's Church, Charlotte Square

Description

A view of Edinburgh from the north-west. Looking over the roofs of the New Town towards the castle and the Old Town, many of the city's landmarks are visible. Most noticeable are Edinburgh Castle and the spire of the Highland Tolbooth Kirk with Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags beyond.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1955

Size

24.6 x 30 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

'Old Town' is the general name given to the original mediaeval centre of Edinburgh. It consists principally of the Royal Mile and the streets and closes leading from it, including those previously part of the separate burgh of Canongate. It also includes the Cowgate and the Grassmarket. The restricted size of the Old Town necessitated the construction of multi-storey 'lands' from the 1500's onwards, many of which still exist today. Eventually chronic overcrowding led to expansion of the city northwards past the Nor' Loch and southwards beyond the Flodden Wall. The Old Town area has now been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Related images

Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Spires

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh