The Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

40794

Title

The Castle from the Grassmarket

Artist / maker

Leitch, William Leighton

Engraver

Harding, James Duffield

Date

1854

Size

40.7 x 30.0 cm

Type

Engraving; Reproduction

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.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

People > Adults > Groups

Places > Edinburgh areas > Grassmarket

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Horse and carts