The Parliament House, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

3293

Title

The Parliament House, Edinburgh

Description

Below the rafters of the intricately carved wooden ceiling of Parliament House in Edinburgh stand four men. Alcoves with carved stonework are situated along the walls and at one end of the room is a large stained glass window. Wooden seating is the only furniture and two statues add to the décor.

Artist / maker

Billings, Robert William

Engraver

Smith, G. B.

Date

1848

Size

19 x 23.4 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Parliament House stands immediately to the south of St Giles Kirk. It was constructed between 1632-40, at Charles I's instruction, to house the Scottish Parliament. It continued in this role, with the interruption of Cromwell's interregnum, until the Act of Union in 1707. It now houses the Court of Session. The original frontage of the building is concealed behind an early 19th Century façade designed by Robert Reid. Inside the building the original Parliament Hall is notable for its oak hammerbeam roof and a large stained glass window.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

Government > National > Courthouses

Government > National > Parliaments