The Old Town Guard

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

43639

Title

The Old Town Guard (The Watching force of the beginning of the Century)

Description

An oil painting of three members of the Edinburgh Town Guard and a man sweeping the floor. The three guards are in uniform but off duty. They are wearing the red tunic with blue cuffs and collars, black tricorn hats and white sashes. A musket is resting against the wall. Two guards are sitting on a bench, one reading a newspaper and one apparently filling his pipe. The third is standing at a half door. The fourth man is wearing a long dark blue coat and holding a broom. The scene is possible outside either the Tolbooth of Edinburgh or the Guardhouse on the High Street where the guards shared the building with the "Tronmen", the city's chimney sweeps.

Artist / maker

Lizars, William Home

Date

1830

Size

34.3 x 43.5 cm

Type

Oil on panel

Location

City Art Centre

Accession number

CAC1978/207

The Town Guard of Edinburgh was founded in the 1680s to keep the peace. Edinburgh at the time was unsettled, with political and religious uncertainty creating tension within the Old Town. The Guard's main duties were to protect the people of Edinburgh from outside invasion, prevent and break up riots, patrol the streets by day and night, and control the crowds who attended public executions. They often failed to carry out these duties without resorting to violence, and were known for their unruly behaviour, fondness of drink and their easily bribed captains.

The Town Guard of Edinburgh was a unique regiment however, and well paid. A place in its ranks was a sought after position. During the 18th century, most of the Guard's members were veterans from the army returning from combat overseas, or migrants arriving in Edinburgh from the Highlands. The majority were Highlanders who spoke Gaelic, a language still unfamiliar to Lowland Scots which for many years would conjure the stereotype of the wild, barbarian Highlander promoted by the anti-Jacobite, Lowland establishment.

The Town Guard was never adequately funded, and only worked within the Old Town. As the city expanded southwards, and across the Nor' Loch into the New Town, a new police force was created in 1805 which could cover the entire city. Gradually the Town Guard, with their red uniforms and increasingly antique muskets, were seen as relics of the past, and in November 1817 they were formally disbanded. A small number of veterans put on their uniforms once more in 1840 at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the Scott Monument.

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Related subjects

Government > Local > Police stations

Government > Local > Tolbooths

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > High Street