Midlothian

Rock Garden – Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama on the edge of the Rock Garden in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The Gardens were established in 1670 to grow medicinal plants. Originally located near Holyrood Palace near the centre of Edinburgh, the gardens were later moved to the outskirts of the city, and were moved to their current location at Inverleith in 1820.

The Gardens are currently used for the scientific study of plants and preservation of a large variety of different species. The large number of different plants and the carefully kept gardens and greenhouses also makes the gardens a popular attraction for both locals and tourists.

Edinburgh Castle – Half-Moon Battery

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama of the Half-Moon Battery at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. The battery was constructed between 1573-1578 on top of the ruins of David’s Tower (the residence of King David II), which was destroyed during the Lang Seige of 1571-1573. The battery was built to act as the castle’s main high level defence on its vulnerable east side.

Until 1716 the battery was armed with seven bronze guns cast for James IV, known as the ‘Seven sisters’. The Half-Moon Battery was also the original home of the castle’s famous ‘One o’clock gun’, a gun that is fired at 1pm almost every day.

Edinburgh castle itself, is the most popular paid tourist attraction in Scotland. It is built on castle rock, a large volcanic rock that raises the castle high up to dominate the city’s skyline. It has been involved in many armed conflicts between the Scottish and the English. The castle was a Royal residence until the unification of Scotland and England in 1603.

St. Anthony’s Chapel Ruins and Holyrood Park

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama from a pile of rock near the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel, in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland.

The origin of St. Anthony’s Chapel is unknown, but it was recorded in 1426 that the Pope gave money for its repair. So it was certainly in existence before then. The last chaplain was recorded in 1581, and it has since fallen into its current ruinous state.

Holyrood Park was created in 1541 when King James V of Scotland had the area enclosed with a stone wall. The park contains an extinct volcano, the peak of which is known as Arthur’s Seat. Due to its landscape, history, and wildlife, Holyrood Park has been scheduled as an ancient monument and site of special scientific interest.

Holyrood Park NE of Arthurs Seat

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama looking out just northeast of Arthur’s Seat across Holyrood Park towards the Firth of Forth, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Arthur’s Seat is the main peak of Holyrood park, being the peak of an extinct volcano. It rises to a height of 251 metres above sea level, providing excellent views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

Holyrood Park itself was created in 1541 when King James V of Scotland had the area enclosed with a stone wall. The park is scheduled as an ancient monument and site of special scientific interest due to its landscape, history, and wildlife.

Centre of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama of the centre of Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland. Arthur’s Seat is the main peak of an extinct volcano, rising to a height of 251 metres above sea level. The top of the peak provides excellent views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

Holyrood Park itself was created in 1541 when King James V of Scotland had the area enclosed with a stone wall. The park is scheduled as an ancient monument and site of special scientific interest due to its landscape, history, and wildlife.

Gloomy morning in Holyrood Park

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama from a plateau on the hill at the centre of Holyrood Park, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nearby is the peak, known as Arthur’s Seat. The hill is actually an extinct volcano, the top of which provides excellent views of Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

Holyrood Park itself was created in 1541 when King James V of Scotland had the area enclosed with a stone wall. The park is scheduled as an ancient monument and site of special scientific interest due to its landscape, history, and wildlife.

Scottish Parliament building at night, Edinburgh

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama outside the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland. The building was completed in 2004, and was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. The unorthodox design of the building was developed to represent the Scottish landscape, the Scottish people and culture, and the city of Edinburgh.

The Scottish Parliament Building (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, Scots: Scots Pairlament Biggin) is located in the Holyrood district of city, to the north-west of Holyrood Park. Across the road from the Parliament is The Queen’s Gallery, an art gallery located in a building that was previously used for the Holyrood Free Church.

Outside The Hub, Edinburgh

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama outside The Hub, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The building is located at the end of the Royal Mile, its Gothic spire towering over the surrounding buildings.

The Hub was originally constructed for use as a General Assembly hall for the Church of Scotland, when it was known as the Victoria Hall. It was built between 1842-5 and was designed by architects J Gillespie Graham and Augustus Pugin.

Today it is used as the home of the Edinburgh International Festival. It hosts a cafe-restaurant, two smaller rooms used for events, and the large hall, which has a capacity of 420.

Other notable buildings nearby include St Columba’s Free Church of Scotland, to the south-east. It was constructed between 1846 and 1846, and was originally named St. John’s. In 1907 the Church became the Free Church of Scotland’s Assembly Hall, and was renamed as St. Columba’s.

To the east is the Lawn Market, a continuation of the High Street. It was originally part of the High Street, until 1477 when this section of street was designated for sales of inland merchandise, such as cloth. The street was filled with stalls from a variety of sellers. Today the stalls are gone, and the Lawn Market features mostly shops aimed at tourists.

Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Posted Under: 360° Panorama, Edinburgh, Europe, Midlothian, Scotland, UK

360° VR panorama looking out over the city of Edinburgh from Calton Hill. The hill is a famous location, both for its views, and also the variety of monuments located there.

The nearby building in this image is part of the City Observatory. The circular pillared structure to the south-west is the Dugald Stewart Monument. To the south-east is the Nelson Monument, a tower built between 1807 and 1815 in honour of Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

To the east is the National Monument of Scotland. This pillared structure was built as a memorial to the Scottish soldiers and sailors who died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was intended to be modelled on the Parthenon, but was left unfinished in 1829.