Grassmarket during improvements

Category

Library Item

Item no

14421

Title

Grassmarket during improvements with Edinburgh Castle behind

Description

Edinburgh Castle stands on a rocky mound above the Grassmarket. In the foreground a road is bordered by a red and white safety barrier. Behind the barrier is a construction site within a fenced area. There are several upright trees inside the site and one tree lying on the ground with its branches secured together. At the far side of the Grassmarket canopies of bars and shop fronts are visible at ground level of the tenement buildings.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2008

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Grassmarket is an open area situated below Edinburgh Castle at the west end of the Cowgate. It was, for many centuries, an important venue for commercial and social activity in the Old Town. A weekly market was held here from the 15th to the early 20th century. It was also the site of many public executions. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising, with a large number of pubs and restaurants.

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.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Construction sites

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Public houses