Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Category

Library Item

Item no

497

Title

Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket

Description

High above the street scene and houses below are the buildings and battlements of Edinburgh Castle. The fortifications include a Half Moon Battery. In the street below a crowd has gathered beside a tall building. On the other side of the street beside trade premises is a cart and close by a woman stands in the road next to a dog.

Artist / maker

Gastineau, Henry

Date

1820

Size

32 x 30 cm.

Type

Pencil work

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh Castle stands on a volcanic plug. It has been used as a fortification since the Iron Age. The oldest part of the present day castle is St Margaret's Chapel which dates from 1093. 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 a central area situated below Edinburgh Castle. A weekly market was held there from 1477 until 1911. The area continues to be a popular area for socialising. The Grassmarket was also the site of many public executions.

Find out more about visiting Edinburgh Castle at Historic Environment Scotland.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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