Page 69 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

EDINBURGH  67

Walker Skating on Duddingston 7 Scott Monument
Loch, thought to date from Princes Street Gardens East. Tel (0131)
the beginning of the 19th 529 4068. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–7pm
century. The minister was daily; Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm Mon–Sun.
believed to be a member of & ∑ edinburghmuseums.org.uk
the Edinburgh Skating Club.
The collection also includes Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832)
Sir David Wilkie’s Pitlessie Fair, is one of the most important
a painting of the annual May figures in Scottish literature
fair in Pitlessie village created (see p92). Born in Edinburgh,
in 1804, when the artist was Scott initially pursued a legal
only in his teens. career but he soon turned to
The collection of early writing full time as his ballads
German pieces contains Gerard and historical novels began
David’s almost comic-strip to bring him success. His
treatment of the Three Legends works looked back to a time of
of St Nicholas, from around the ad venture, honour and chivalry,
beginning of the 16th century. and did much to promote this
Works by Raphael (such as his image of Scotland abroad.
tender Bridgewater Madonna), In addition to being a cele- The imposing Gothic heights of the Scott
Titian and Tintoretto brated novelist, Sir Walter was Monument on Princes Street
accompany other southern also a major public figure – he
European paintings, including organized the visit of King 8 Scottish National
Velazquez’s An Old Woman George IV to Edinburgh in Portrait Gallery
Cooking Eggs, from 1620. The 1822. After Scott’s death
artist created the work when in 1832, the Monument 1 Queen St. Tel (0131) 624 6200.
he was only 18 or 19 years old. was con structed on the Open 10am–5pm daily (to 7pm Thu).
Leonardo da Vinci’s genius is south side of Princes 7 - ∑ nationalgalleries.org
represented by his Street as a tribute to his
drawing Studies of a life and work. This Gothic An exhibition on the 12 gene-
Dog’s Paw, while tower was designed by rations of the Royal House of
Botticelli’s George Meikle Kemp and Stuart, from the time of Robert
vibrant The reaches a height of 61 m the Bruce to Queen Anne, is
Virgin Adoring (200 ft). It was com- a highlight here. Memorabilia
the Sleeping pleted in 1840, and include Mary, Queen of Scots’
Christ Child is includes a statue jewellery and a silver travelling
unusual in that of Sir Walter at its canteen left by Bonnie Prince
it was painted Rev Robert Walker Skating on base, sculpted by Sir Charlie (see p157) at the Battle of
on canvas rather Duddingston Loch John Steell. Inside Culloden. The upper gallery has
than wood. the huge structure, a num ber of portraits of famous
There is an entire room 287 steps give access to the top- Scots, including a picture of
de voted to The Seven Sacra­ most platform. The rewards for Robert Burns.
ments by Nicholas Poussin, those who climb up are great The museum was completely
dating from around 1640 and views around the city centre refurbished in 2011, in order to
presented to the gallery by the and across the Forth to Fife. display more of the collection.
Duke of Sutherland. Flemish
painters are well represented,
with Rembrandt’s affecting Self­
Portrait Aged 51 and works by
Van Dyck and Rubens. Among
the English offerings are Sir
Joshua Reynolds’s painting of
The Ladies Waldegrave, which
depicts the three daughters
of the 2nd Earl Waldegrave
doing needlework, and
Gainsborough’s The Honourable
Mrs Graham (1757–1792), a full-
length portrait in the tradition
of Van Dyck. Works by the
Impressionists include Monet’s
Boats in a Harbour, probably
painted in Le Havre in 1873, and
Degas’s A Group of Dancers. Van Dyck’s Princess Elizabeth and Princess Anne, National Portrait Gallery

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