Castle Rock and West Princes Street Gardens

Category

Library Item

Item no

3526

Title

Castle rock and West Princes Street Gardens

Description

The Castle Rock rises above Princes Street Gardens and the battlements of Edinburgh Castle can be seen to the right-hand side. To the left the top of the Mound is visible with the twin towers of Old College.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Size

24.7 x 28 cm

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

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.

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

Landscape > Land > Rock formations

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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