latest updates: Edinburgh Castle

• 
  2010

  Sep 3
  4
  Uncle Bob

  

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  Mons Meg – Ink and Watercolour in a Watercolour Moleskine

  (Another one to remind Rene of Edinburgh)

  This large cannon, or “Bombard” sits proudly in Edinburgh Castle. It was built in 1449 near Mons in Wallonia then gifted to the Scottish King James 2nd. The “Meg” is thought to be named after “Margaret of Denmark – King James 3rd’s wife”. They knew how to flatter women in those days. Mons Meg weighs over 15,000 lbs (7,000kg), is 15ft long ( 4.5m) and fires round projectiles 20″ dia (500mm) weighing 400lbs (180kg). Its her heyday she could only be fired about 8 times a day as the build up of heat was huge. The range was around 2 miles. The carriage is not original – this a replacement built in 1835.

  To all potential invaders – beware. She probably still works. Forget modern weaponry – Whar’s yer laser guided bombs noo?
  tags: Edinburgh Castle | Mons Meg
   
• 
  2010

  May 16
  2
  Uncle Bob

  

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  Edinburgh Castle in Winter – Ink and Silverpoint in a Watercolour Moleskine

  Still investigating this technique. The surface was primed with a special “ground”, namely “Golden – Silverpoint Drawing Ground” which is great for producing a surface to take the metal stylus. I’ve used the Silverpoint lines to try to get fine detail while the ink shadows are designed to contrast heavily with them. I still have a whiles to go but I think I’m getting there.

  Edinburgh Castle is built on a volcanic plug/ridge which runs all the way to North Berwick about 20 miles away. This view shows part of Prince’s Street Gardens at the base of the rocks. In days gone by there was a stretch of water here known as the Nor’ (North) Loch. Every school pupil knows the tale of a group of Scots trying to take the castle, which at the time was held by English soldiers, by climbing up this rock face. One of the incumbent garrison’s guards was said, as a joke, to have leaned over the wall and shouted, “I can see you” which must have terrified the attackers. They lay still for over an hour then successfully took the castle. Unfortunately some people, every year, still try to emulate this feat – usually after a wee refreshment, and the emergency services have to rescue them. Climbing this rock face is NOT encouraged.
  tags: Edinburgh Castle | silverpoint