Skip to content
Home
Favourites
0
Advanced Search
Shopping Cart
0
Register
Log In
Images of Edinburgh
Browse Map
Area A - Z
Browse by Date
Exhibitions
Current Exhibition
All Exhibitions
Collections
About the Collections
Browse by Theme
Subject A - Z
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries
Images of Edinburgh
Browse Map
Area A - Z
Browse by Date
Exhibitions
Current Exhibition
All Exhibitions
Collections
About the Collections
Browse by Theme
Subject A - Z
Subject matches "Spires" or its children
Back to search results
Kirk O'Field (site of, South Bridge)
Smith, Jane Stewart, 1870, Watercolour
Item
of 343
Kirk O'Field (site of, South Bridge)
Kirk O'Field (site of, South Bridge)
Add to Favourites
Share
Item record
About this image
Related
Location
Responses
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.
Exhibitions with this item
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage
Jane Stewart Smith watercolours of Edinburgh
Other views of this item
Related images
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
(55°56′48″N, 3°10′54″W)
Search Location
Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.
People were asked…
Response
Rights and purchasing
Use
Category
Reproduction
Circulation
Duration
Region
Required information
Media options