Moray House, Canongate, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

1394

Title

Moray House, Canongate, Edinburgh

Description

The buildings of Moray House stand in the Canongate, Edinburgh. They surround a gated entrance with pointed obelisks on either side of it. To the right of the gate is a building with crow stepped gables and a large arched doorway. To the left is a building with an ornate balcony looking out on to the street and tall chimney stacks. A horse and cart makes it's way down the cobbled street.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1874

Size

11.9 x 18.9 cm

Type

Glass negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Moray House was built around 1625 for the Dowager Countess of Home. It was named after her daughter Margaret Countess of Moray who inherited it in 1643. During the 1640's it played host to both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The Marquis of Montrose passed by the house on the way to his execution in 1650, and was taunted from the balcony by the Marquis of Argyll and others who had gathered there for his son's wedding. In 1661, following the restoration, the Marquis of Argyll was to pass by the same spot on the way to his own execution on the 'Maiden' (guillotine).

The Canongate is the section of the Royal Mile running from the junction with Jeffrey Street to a roundabout almost immediately outside Holyrood Palace.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Homes > Residential buildings > Mansions

Places > Edinburgh areas > Canongate

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

(55°57′3″N, 3°10′47″W)

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