Castle from Johnston Terrace

Category

Library Item

Item no

1837

Title

Castle from Johnston Terrace

Description

The half-moon battery with gun loops in its walls can be seen in this view of Edinburgh Castle. A flag pole rises from a tower. The Castle is surrounded by defensive walls some of which are crenellated. Watchtowers are positioned along the battlements. People sit on the walls of the Esplanade. At the bottom of the sloped ground below the Castle there are metal railings. Beyond this fence is a road bordered by a pavement on either side, with street lamps on one side. A horse-drawn carriage is being driven along the road. A house with four small turrets with spired roofs is to one side.

Artist / maker

Inglis, Alexander Adam

Date

1884

Size

16 x 20.9 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.

Johnston Terrace forms part of Thomas Hamilton's plan for a new western approach to Edinburgh. The plan was authorised by parliament in 1827 and Johnston Terrace, then referred to as the New West Approach, was opened in the mid 1830's. Its name was changed in 1850 in honour of Sir William Johnston, Lord Provost of Edinburgh 1848-51.

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

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

(55°56′53″N, 3°11′48″W)

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