Edinburgh Report

Carlton Hill, located within an easy walking distance from the city's bustling center, is an excellent example of a primary location.

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The space offers its users with a wealth of activities. Among the biggest draws to the area are the multiple vantage points which offer breathtaking views of King Arthur's Seat, the water and the historic buildings in the city below. 

The space has a lot more to offer than simply its stunning location. For instance, it is home to The Collective--a modern art organization. Just outside The Collective is a food truck called Milk at Collective, which offers selections such coffee and sandwiches. Two tables offer visitors primary seating. The Collective is expanding into the adjacent City Observatory, a  gorgeous building that is a draw in its own right. The observatory was designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818 and the style was inspired by the Greek temple of the Four Winds [2]. Classical inspiration is also clearly visible in design of the National Monument of Scotland which is modeled on the Parthenon of Athens. The structure is sandstone but was carefully constructed to look as much like the original marble as possible [4]. The classical aesthetic is further extended to the Dugald Stewart Monument, which boasts beautiful pillars encircling an urn. This monument as been drawing crowds since 1831 and is considered one of Edinburgh's most photographed monuments [3]. The consistent classical design scheme which spans these three monuments gives the space a cohesive feel and adds extended visual interest. 

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Carlton Hill also hosts Nelson's Monument, a tower which was constructed in 1805 and boasts that it provides the best view of Edinburgh. One distinctive feature of the monument is a ball which drops at 1:00 sharp every afternoon [6]. Another prominent attraction at Carlton Hill is James Craig House. Built by it's namesake between 1776 and 1793, the house was the first observatory on the hill, preceding the City Observatory. James Craig is considered the "Architect of New Town"  and the house is a prime example of his skill [7]. Another distinctive feature of Carlton Hill is the historic cannon showcased in the center of the other attractions. As shown in the picture below, the cannon is a popular spot for visitors to pose for a picture. The cannon was created in the Portuguese colonies and was captured by the British in the invasion of Burma which took place in 1885. The following year the cannon was settled in Edinburgh where it has resided ever since[9].

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The site does not offer many primary seating areas--the main one being the few tables out front of Milk at Collective. However, there are many secondary seating opportunities. The large rocks which line the open grassy area where the National Monument of Scotland stands are popular spots for visitors to rest. In addition, the rocks add visual interest and definition to the space. However the space does not offer any shelter which, with the regions frequently inclement weather, limits the spaces uses.



Street lights are spread throughout the space which will contribute to the safety of the area after dark and extend the hours which it could potentially be used. The space has an abundance of open grassy space which could potentially be used for community events. However much of this area is uneven which could make setting up tables for vendors difficult. Despite this possible inconvenience, the site is still well used by the city. For instance, it is one of the official locations for viewing the Festival Fireworks Concert. Carlton Hill also hosts the Beltane Fire Festival every year. The Beltane Fire Festival is a participatory arts event which draws large crowds who want to join in the ritual drama [10].
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Accessibility is a potential issue in the space. One way up to the hill's peak includes numerous stairs, which are well maintained and include railings but would make this route unfeasible for families with strollers or people with physical handicaps. There are paths that do not include stairs but these are fairly steep. There is no public car access to the space which is very limiting for those with severe mobility constraints. However, during the field visit, two strollers and one person in a wheel chair were observed. Accessing the space is possible for young families and people with physical impairments but it is not easy.

During a typical day, the majority of visitors are tourists. During the field visit, the space seemed dominated by people from other cities, many from other nations. Many of the tourists were family groups and couples. Ages varied but the difficult access limited the number of very young and elderly who could visit. The space is fairly static day to day so there is little to draw locals back frequently. However the expansion of the Collective has the potential to provide such a draw as rotating exhibits are featured. The special events, such as the Festival Fireworks Concert and the Beltane Fire Festival likely will bring in locals in addition to people who traveled especially for the spectacles.

One major contributing factor to the lack of locals is that Carlton Hill is set apart from the bustling center of the city. The square in front of the National Galleries, another space chosen for assessment, seemed to host many more locals, although tourists were also present in large number. The square is naturally in the paths of locals and tourists alike as it is across the street from shopping such as H&M in addition to being close to a world class art museum. The square also had other draws such as a bagpipe street performer and a man blowing large bubbles. The space, like Carlton Hill, offered ample secondary seating this time in the form is wide steps.





Carlton Hill will never have the advantage of the location the square out front of the National Gallery enjoys but it has the benefit of multiple beautiful works of historical architecture and beautiful views. Carlton Hill is an important location historically for Edinburgh and will continue to play a large part in the cities identity into the future.   

Works Cited:

[1]Carlton Hill Location. Digital image. Mountain Forecast. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[2] "The Old City Observatory." Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[3] "Dugald Stewart Monument." Welcome to Scotland. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[4]"Calton Hill; National Monument of Scotland (Edinburgh, Scotland) : Aerial General Context View, National Monument Center Top, Facing Nelson Monument (column at Left)." Yale University Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[5]The City Observatory. Digital image. Edinburgh Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[6] "Nelson's Monument." Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[7] "James Craig House." Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

[8] Old Observatory House, Calton Hill. Digital image. Edinburgh Spotlight. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2017.

 [9]Council, The City of Edinburgh. "Calton Hill Cannon." Controlcentre. The City of Edinburgh Council, 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 30 June 2017.
[10]"Calton Hill." Edinburgh Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2017.
[11]Beltane Fire Festival. Digital image. Beltane.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 July 2017.