The fireplace, Parliament Hall (Edinburgh Castle)

Category

Library Item

Item no

1993

Title

The fireplace, Parliament Hall (Edinburgh Castle)

Description

The fireplace of Parliament Hall, or Great Hall, in Edinburgh Castle. A metal grate is flanked by two metalwork lions holding shields. The mantel has four carved stone figures. Carved woodwork and panels are at either side.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1892

Size

19.1 x 28.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle was built by James IV in the early 16th century. It was used for meetings of the Scottish Parliament prior to the completion of nearby Parliament House in 1640. The Great Hall, like its successor, boasts an impressive hammerbeam roof.

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.

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

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Fireplaces

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces