Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens

Category

Library Item

Item no

1967

Title

Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens

Description

Edinburgh Castle sits above the the National Gallery and Princes Street Gardens. The gardens have pathways cutting through the grass lawns, some of which are on a slope. Flowerbeds one in the shape of a crown are a feature. People sit on park benches are on the paths. Trees and bushes are also within the gardens. The National art gallery is a neoclassical building with ionic columns.

Artist / maker

Malcolm, George

Date

1937

Size

19.2 x 25 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 National Gallery is situated at the foot of the Mound immediately behind the Royal Scottish Academy. W. H. Playfair was the architect for both buildings. The foundation stone for the gallery was laid by Prince Albert in 1850 and construction was completed in 1854, 28 years after the Academy. It houses Scotland's largest and most important collection of paintings and sculpture from the renaissance through to the late 19th century. The building is now linked underground to the Royal Scottish Academy.

Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens were established on the site of the Nor'Loch which was drained during the 18th Century. The park was originally for the exclusive use of the residents of Princes Street, but was opened to the public in 1876. The gardens contain various statues of notable figures, as well as the Ross Fountain and bandstand and the famous Floral Clock.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

Rooms and spaces > Furniture > Benches

Sport and leisure > Culture > Galleries

Transport > Infrastructure > Trails and paths

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.