Chapel of St.Roque near Blackford Hill

Category

Library Item

Item no

589

Title

Chapel of St.Roque near Blackford Hill

Description

Ruins of the chapel of St Roque, Edinburgh. The remnants of large arched windows are visible at either end of the building. Sheep graze in the foreground. The sun is just visible on the horizon.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1827

Size

16 x 23 cm.

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

St Roque's Chapel stood close to Blackford Hill, and dates from the early 16th century, if not earlier. The Saint to whom it was dedicated is associated with the prevention and cure of plague. Many victims of the disease visited the chapel hoping for divine assistance. The chapel had a small attached cemetery for those who succumbed to the illness. It was a clearly identifiable ruin until the end of the 18th century but little trace of the building exists today.

Blackford Hill is located approximately two miles north of the centre of Edinburgh. It is 539 feet in height. The Royal Observatory was built here in 1896 and continues to be used as a centre for astronomical study. The land was purchased by the city in 1884. A grand arch of red sandstone stands at the entrance to Observatory Road to commemorate Sir George Harrisson, Lord Provost and MP, who arranged this transfer to public ownership.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Sheep

Landscape > Land > Hills

People > Agriculture and fisheries > Shepherds

Places > Edinburgh areas > Blackford

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Chapels

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