At the well

Category

Library Item

Item no

3296

Title

At the well

Description

A girl drinks from a drinking fountain outside St Giles' Cathedral in Parliament Square, Edinburgh. The metal fountain has a coat of arms embossed on the side. In front of the Kirk two tall, square street lamps stand. The arched walkway and columns of Parliament House can be seen in the background.

Artist / maker

Malcolm, George

Date

1938

Size

25 x 19.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Parliament Square in Edinburgh is situated immediately to the north of the former Parliament House, now home to the Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session. It was formed along with Parliament House around 1640 on the kirkyard of St Giles. This burial ground, which largely fell out of use in the mid sixteenth century, is the resting place of the prominent religious reformer John Knox. The appearance of the buildings surrounding the square was substantially altered in the 19th century by the addition of frontages designed by Robert Reid.

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.

St Giles Kirk, often called St Giles Cathedral, is situated on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. A church has stood on the site since around 1120-1140, but little remains of the 12th century structure. St Giles played an important part in the Scottish Protestant Reformation with John Knox serving as its minister from 1560 until his death in 1572. The building has experienced significant additions, alterations and restorations during its history. The Thistle Chapel, a private chapel for the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, was added between 1909-11.

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Related subjects

Government > National > Parliaments

Landscape > Water > Wells

People > Children > Girls

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Cathedrals

Religion > Religious facilities > Protestant churches

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