Castle from Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

1840

Title

Castle from Grassmarket

Description

Edinburgh Castle dominates this view of the Grassmarket. The half-moon battery has gun loops in its walls. The Castle is surrounded by defensive walls some of which are crennellated. Watchtowers are positioned along the battlements, including the Esplanade. At the bottom of the sloped ground below the Castle is the Grassmarket. On the cobbled road there are horse-drawn carts, a horse, handcarts and a wheelbarrow. Bordering the road is a pavement which has street lighting along it. There are shops with shop front window displays, inns, a tobacco and snuff manufacturer and other establishments.

Artist / maker

Inglis, Alexander Adam

Date

1870

Size

9.8 x 17.7 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.

The Grassmarket is a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. It has been the site of many public executions. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising.

The word cobble has been used here to help with searching, an alternative term is sett. Sett stones describe both the type of stone and the method in which they are used.

Find out more about visiting Edinburgh Castle at Historic Environment Scotland.

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Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

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