Edinburgh Castle, Lang Stairs and Argyle Tower

Category

Library Item

Item no

2027

Title

Edinburgh Castle, Lang Stairs and Argyle Tower

Description

People on the Lang Stairs in Edinburgh Castle. Men, women and children use the steps. A lamp is on the steps. A man walks along a cobblestone path through the Portcullis gate.

Artist / maker

Wyllie, H. D.

Date

1942

Size

13.9 x 11.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The 'Lang Stairs' is a stone stairway leading to the Upper Ward of Edinburgh Castle.

The Portculis Gate, in the Castle's Lower Ward, dates from the 16th century. The Argyle Tower was constructed on top of the gate in 1867 for cosmetic reasons.

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.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Gateways

Architecture > Architectural features > Lights

Architecture > Architectural features > Stairways

People > Adults > Groups

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Cobbled paths