Edinburgh from Arthur {Arthur's] Seat

Category

Library Item

Item no

6623

Title

Edinburgh from Arthur {Arthur's] Seat

Description

Sunbeams breakthrough the cloud cover onto the Edinburgh cityscape. Amongst the buildings Edinburgh Castle is most prominent. In the foreground a shepherd is gathering his sheep on Arthur's Seat and the pathway of the Radical Road is visible on Salisbury Crags.

Artist / maker

Ewbank, John Wilson

Engraver

Lizars, W. H.

Date

1825

Size

20.8 x 26.6 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image has been chosen for the Edinburgh - Past and Present Exhibition by Sheena McDonald, Journalist and Broadcaster - "There are some images that the camera has difficulty in catching so I was delighted to find this astonishing drawing by Ewbank, engraved by W.H. Lizard, because it exemplifies my attachment to the Radical Road which runs beneath Salisbury Crags and which has for years been one of my favourite walks. For many years, I regularly used to climb past St Anthony's Chapel above St Margaret's Loch, walk through Hunter's Bog and back along the Radical Road with its breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the Forth beyond - and it was such a healthy and inspiring way to spend 45 minutes. Ewbank's drawing perfectly captures the drama and majesty of the world-class panoramic view" Sheena McDonald.

Arthur's Seat is the remains of a now extinct volcano which rises 250 metres (823 feet) above Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Remains of an Iron Age Hill fort were found on the east side of the hill. The origins of the peak's name have been somewhat lost. One theory is that it is a corruption of the gaellic Ard-na-saith, meaning height of arrows, indicating a past usage as a practice place for archery. Arthur's Seat is also known as the Lion's Head.

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Related images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Sheep

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

People > Agriculture and fisheries > Shepherds

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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