Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

498

Title

Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Description

Watercolour sketch of the Grassmarket on market day with Edinburgh Castle above it. Groups of people stand in the Grassmarket buying and selling goods. There are also horses, dogs and horse and carts.

Artist / maker

Le Conte, John

Date

1840

Size

27 x 35 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh Castle stands on a volcanic plug. It has been used as a fortification since the Iron Age. The oldest part of the present day castle is St Margaret's Chapel which dates from 1093. 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 Grassmarket is a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. It has been the site of many public executions. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The Grassmarket continues to be a popular area for socialising.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Markets

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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