Edinburgh Castle and Nor' Loch

Category

Library Item

Item no

1466

Title

Edinburgh Castle and Nor' Loch

Description

Edinburgh Castle and the Castle Rock above the Nor' Loch. The dramatic cloudy sky is reflected in the waters of the Loch. Cattle are grazing in the mid ground and people, horses and carts can be seen to the front.

Artist / maker

Nasmyth, Alexander

Date

1780

Size

24 x 21 cm.

Type

Oil painting; Reproduction

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.

Originally created for defensive reasons the Nor' Loch was used as a midden for Edinburgh's Old Town. It became both unpleasant and unhealthy for the city's residents, and was drained in the eighteenth century. Princes Street Gardens now stand in its place.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Landscape > Water > Loch, lakes and ponds

Natural phenomena > Weather > Clouds

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Carts and wagons