Princes Street, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

10799

Title

View of Princes Street, Edinburgh, from the top of Nelson's Monument

Description

This view along Princes Street in Edinburgh takes in several city landmarks, these include Old Calton Burial Ground and the Balmoral and Caledonian Hotels. There are many cars and buses on Princes Street.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2007

Size

25.4 x 19 cm

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The main part of the Old Calton Burial Ground stands immediately to south of Waterloo Place. The cemetery was bisected by the construction of that road in 1820, and the bodies disturbed by the work were moved to a new site a little way to the east. The Old Calton Burial Ground has several notable structures within it. The Emancipation Monument stands in memory of those Scottish-American soldiers fought for the Union during the American Civil War. There is also a monument to the celebrated philosopher David Hume. A large obelisk stands as a monument to those radical reformers, including Thomas Muir, who were tried, convicted and deported for sedition in 1793. In the wake of the French and American Revolutions Muir and his associates had been active in a widespread movement for political and social reform in Britain. The movement attracted alarm and extreme sanction from both the political establishment and conservative elements in society.

Princes Street is one of the main thoroughfares and shopping areas in Edinburgh. It was created as part of James Craig's New Town development and named in honour of George III's sons. With the exception of St John's Church there is no building on the southern side of Princes Street, allowing spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Clocks and clock towers

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Graveyards

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

Transport > Infrastructure > Streets