Castle from Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

9531

Title

Castle from Grassmarket

Description

Below the fortifications of Edinburgh Castle is the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh. Trade premises, inns and other establishments are at street level. The outline of faintly visible horses and carts can be seen, although a handcart is clearly in view in front of an arched entranceway.

Artist / maker

Burns, Archibald

Date

1868

Size

10.7 x 8.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

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 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.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Trade premises

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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