Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

1812

Title

Castle from the Grassmarket

Description

Edinburgh Castle is the backdrop for this view of the Grassmarket. The fortification has a half-moon battery with gun loops in its walls and has a large flag flying above it. Below the Castle in the Grassmarket people are carrying goods from a handcart sitting in the road. Smoke rises from the chimneys of some of the houses. On top of one roof is a weathervane.

Artist / maker

Isaac, J.

Date

1850

Size

8.3 x 11.7 cm

Type

Watercolour

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 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.

Find out more about visiting Edinburgh Castle at Historic Environment Scotland.

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Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh