Portcullis Gate, Edinburgh Castle

Category

Library Item

Item no

2048

Title

Portcullis Gate, Edinburgh Castle

Description

The Portcullis Gate of Edinburgh Castle. People walk along the cobblestone path through the arched entrance. Carved stonework showing a coat of arms which has a crown and lion rampant. Through the entrance is a cannon.

Artist / maker

Wyllie, H. D.

Date

1945

Size

16 x 11.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Portculis Gate, in Edinburgh Castle's Lower Ward, dates from the 16th century. The Argyle Tower was constructed on top of the gate in 1867 for cosmetic reasons.

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.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Architecture > Architectural features > Coats of arms

Architecture > Architectural features > Gateways

Military > Arms and armament > Cannons

People > Adults > Groups

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Cobbled paths