Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

3530

Title

Castle from the Grassmarket

Description

Edinburgh Castle can be seen above the tenement buildings and businesses of the Grassmarket. The White Hart Inn and Market Inn can be seen as well as a saddlery and spirit merchant. On the cobblestone road outside are horse-drawn carts, some laden with barrels.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1855

Size

25.4 x 28 cm

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Grassmarket is an open area situated below Edinburgh Castle at the west end of the Cowgate. It was, for many centuries, an important venue for commercial and social activity in the Old Town. A weekly market was held here from the 15th to the early 20th century. It was also the site of many public executions. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising, with a large number of pubs and restaurants.

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.

The word cobble has been used here to help with searching, an alternative term is sett. Sett stones describe both the type of stone and the method in which they are used.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Inns

Transport > Land > Carts and wagons

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.