Edinburgh Castle from the Grass Market

Category

Library Item

Item no

1923

Title

Edinburgh Castle from the Grass Market [Grassmarket]

Description

Edinburgh Castle is the backdrop to the Grassmarket which is bustling with people. There are shops and other establishments, these include a stabler, a victual, spirit dealers and a meal, barley and salt office. On the cobblestone road are horse-drawn carts. A flock of geese is being led along the road.

Artist / maker

Batty, Robert

Engraver

Brandard, R.

Date

1831

Size

16 x 17.4 cm

Type

Engraving

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.

The Grassmarket is a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. It has been the site of many public executions. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising.

The word cobble has been used here to help with searching, an alternative term is sett. Sett stones describe both the type of stone and the method in which they are used.

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

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Inns

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

(55°56′49″N, 3°11′48″W)

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