Holyrood Palace

Category

Library Item

Item no

19135

Title

Holyrood Palace

Artist / maker

Channing, William

Date

1854

Size

20.9 x 25.8 cm

Type

Pen work; Wash drawing

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh is the Queen's official residence in Scotland. The site was founded as an Augustian monastery in 1128 by David I, after he had a vision of a stag with a rood or cross on its forehead. In 1501 James IV built a palace close to the Abbey. The Palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots from 1561-1567. It also played host to Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War, during which time it suffered extensive fire damage. It was significantly rebuilt and extended by Charles II, though he never stayed there. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie held court there after seizing control of Edinburgh. Queen Victoria revived its use as a royal residence.

William Channing's drawings and paintings from the bound volume of his 'Sketches in Edinburgh', give an artist's impression of tenement life in the mid 19th century. His drawings are glimpses into the past down the narrow Closes and alleyways of the Old Town. We see higgledy-piggledy houses and tenements towering skywards, laundry hanging from windows across the walkways and local characters talking in the streets.

Channing's delightful sketches are particularly valued for their representation of the architectural elements and details of buildings and closes now much changed or long since disappeared.

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Architecture > Architectural features > Chimneys

Architecture > Architectural features > Fences

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Spires

Architecture > Architectural features > Weather vanes

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Children

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Grasses

Plants > Trees

Transport > Infrastructure > Footpaths

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