Kirk O'Field (site of, South Bridge)

Category

Library Item

Item no

12

Title

Site of the Kirk O'Field Old College

Description

A brightly painted carriage with passengers sits across from the columned entrance to Edinburgh University. Many people crowd the pavements and shops with painted signs line the streets. In the distance is the outline of the Tron Kirk's spire.

Artist / maker

Smith, Jane Stewart

Date

1870

Size

24.1 x 34.7 cm

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Kirk o'Field was situated less than a mile from Holyroodhouse. The building was made famous by the murder of Mary Queen of Scots husband, Lord Darnley in 1567. Darnley was staying in a house called the Old Provost's Lodging which formed the southern side of the Kirk o'Field quadrangle. An explosion in the house flung the already murdered bodies of Darnley and his valet into the garden where they were found. Controversy still surrounds the question of responsibility for the crime.

The construction of Old College, according to Robert Adam's designs, began in 1789. Adams' death and the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars led to the project being halted in 1792. It was recommenced in 1817 by William Playfair, and work was largely completed by the mid 1830's. It was not until 1887 that the final finishing touch, a large dome similar to that in Adam's original design, was put to the building by Robert Rowand Anderson. This dome was topped with a bronze statue the following year. The building is still used by the University of Edinburgh.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Spires

Business > Service industry > Shops

Education > Educational facilities > Universities and colleges

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Edinburgh areas > Southside

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

Transport > Land > Carriages

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