Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

1937

Title

Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Description

A photograph of Edinburgh Castle taken from a stereographic negative. The Castle sits on the Castle Rock. The half-moon battery can be seen to the right with gun loops in its walls. The Castle is surrounded by defensive walls. At the bottom of the rock is the Grassmarket with a selection of inns and shops. On the cobbled road there are horse-drawn carts piled high with sacks.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1868

Size

11.8 x 18 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.

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

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.