Sitting on The Mound in the heart of Edinburgh is a Grecian style temple dedicated to the arts. If it sounds out of place don’t be fooled. Physically this ramped road links the two halves of historic Edinburgh, the cramped and jumbled Old Town and the elegant spacious New Town. The temple itself links the historic art of the past with modern contemporary and emerging Scottish art. It is a beautiful building in an iconic and unmissable site, and I think it looks best by lamplight, as was planned when it was opened in 1835.
The Doric columns which adorn the temple, are typical of the Greek Revival style of architecture which you can see all around Edinburgh’s New Town. The Scottish enlightenment led to a love of all things classic, and William Henry Playfair, who designed the building had planned for a statue of Pallas Athena to sit on top of this eye catching site. She was considered the patron Goddess of architecture, as her temple in Athens was considered the touchstone of perfection for enlightenment architects. It never happened, but in 1844 a huge statue of Queen Victoria was placed here instead.
The whole site underwent a redesign in 2004, and a huge underground connecting space between this temple, the Royal Scottish Academy, and it’s next door neighbour the National Gallery of Scotland, expanded the exhibition space enormously. The traditional style lamps and wrought iron railings were replaced at this time, and I love the lighting effects these old fashioned lamps produce at night. You can almost imagine the clop of hooves as carriages drive past, and the swish of long silk skirts up the stone steps.
Some things just look better by the soft light of lamps. Edinburgh is full of many such lovely spots, which look magical at night, when the shadows of history lean in closer.
See more nighttime shots at this weeks WP challenge.
breathofgreenair 
Very majestic! AND beautiful, of course… I think the lights have a double effect – making everything a touch softer but also more dramatic at the same time.
PS: What a lovely new Gravatar photo, Seonaid!
I do love the effects of the lights….and thanks about the Gravatar. I was having a bit of fun 🙂
It looks magnificent by night, Seonaid! I wish I’d had a little more time to hang around. 🙂
Yes, those soft lights and the wet ground. Beautiful nighttime shots!
I’d also much prefer a statue of Athena than Queen Victoria 🙂 Cool photos though!
Thanks. Gilly, I was playing around with taking shots at night…..foolishly without a tripod as usual!
Grand and beautiful!
Thanks, it’s a lovely contrast sitting just below the ancient brooding castle!
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Lovely photos! I think we actually drove past this about 25 years ago. I was driving, but because we didn’t know where in Edinburgh to park or even where we wanted to go we kept driving right on through town. I was really heart-broken too as I was hoping to find a yarn store or a store where I could purchase a Scottish sweater. Since I knit, I have heard wonderful things about your yarns. Your picture brings back memories. Thank you!!
You probably did Gwynn as it sits right on Princes Street…..however nowadays no cars are allowed to drive along Princes Street 🙂
As for yarns, yes lots of delights…..I’m sure you create some wonderful knits.
Magnificent architecture! Great photos!
Thanks Amy, Edinburgh offers some lovely night shots 🙂
Gorgeous through your lens!
If it looks that great from the outside, I can’t image the wealth of wonders which await on the inside! You did go in … didn’t you? D
I’m a member of the RSA ( Royal Scottish Academy) so I’m often in the building. It hosts lots of great exhibitions of new works, as well as the permanent collection in the second temple….the National Galleries of Scotland. Always worth a visit 🙂
These shots really bring up the beauty of these columns.
Thanks Colline, the columns are so picturesque and elegant…..
Magical shots Seonaid; hard to choose a favorite but I really love the shot of the single column. Beautifully done.
Thanks Tina, I loved the way the lighting turned out on that shot.
The lamps and railings are gorgeous.
I think Victoria should be booted off to somewhere else – Athena belongs there.
I love all that old wrought iron….the originals were of course melted down during WWII, so it was about time they were replaced 🙂
I agree about Victoria, but in fact her statue is rather eye catching as she is dressed as Britannia…..will try try and catch a shot…..and lit in red! Still Athena would have looked perfect….
Glad they were ABLE to replace them! Workmanship like that isn’t often seen these days.
On the other hand, Aoife or one of those would have been even more appropriate. It is Scotland, after all!
Very nicely lit and captured
Yeah, the new old lamps really make all the difference, giving lovely pools of soft light. Capturing it all was a challenge, but fun learning…..and I really must learn to take my tripod on night shoots!
What a beautiful edifice, Seonaid. These night shots really make it look magical. 🙂
It’s a very pretty old building 🙂
The magnificence of ancient splendor is adorable, especially at night.
Your photographs nicely capture that essence, Seonaid.
Happy Sunday to you! 🙂 Peace and luvz, UT
Thanks UT, I love the historic feel of night time shots…..and the old lamps are perfect 🙂
Nice photos especially the last one – love the reflections.
Thanks Judy, I took these to play around with my camera in the dark, and I really loved the way the shots turned out 🙂
Wet pavements make great reflections!