Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Echinoderma" to "Edward, prince of Wales": Volume 8, Slice 10Various
Science
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Echinoderma" to "Edward, prince of Wales": Volume 8, Slice 10
Various
Encyclopedias and dictionaries
_Environs._--In several directions many places once to be described
among the environs have practically become suburbs of Edinburgh.
Newhaven (population of parish, 7636), so called from the harbour
constructed in the reign of James IV., had a shipbuilding yard of some
repute in former times. The village has always been a fishing-place of
importance, the "fishwives" in their picturesque garb being, till
recently, conspicuous figures in the streets of the capital. It used to
be a popular resort for fish dinners, and it plays a prominent part in
Charles Reade's novel of _Christie Johnstone_. To the west lies Granton
(pop. 1728), where the 5th duke of Buccleuch constructed a magnificent
harbour. Before the building of the Forth Bridge the customary approach
to Fifeshire and the north-east of Scotland was by means of a steam
ferry from Granton to Burntisland, which is still used to some extent.
There is regular communication with Iceland, the continental ports and
London. A marine station here was established by Sir John Murray, but
has been discontinued. Still farther west lies the village of Cramond
(pop. of parish, 3815), at the mouth of the river Almond, where Roman
remains have often been found. It was the birthplace of several
well-known persons, among others of John Law (1671-1729), originator of
the Mississippi scheme, Lauriston Castle being situated in the parish.
Cramond Brig was the scene of one of the "roving" adventures of James
V., when the life of the "Gudeman of Ballengeich" was saved by Jock
Howieson of the Braehead. Corstorphine (pop. 2725), once noted for its
cream and also as a spa, is now to all intents and purposes a western
suburb of the capital. The parish church contains the tombs of the
Forresters, of old the leading family of the district, with full-length
sculptured figures, and at the base of Corstorphine Hill--from one point
of which ("Rest and be Thankful") is to be had one of the best views of
Edinburgh--are the seats of several well-known families. Among these are
Craigcrook Castle (where Lord Jeffrey spent many happy years, and the
gardens of which are said to have given Scott a hint for Tullyveolan in
_Waverley_), and Ravelston House, the home of the Keiths. To the south
of the metropolis are Colinton (pop. 5499), on the Water of Leith, with
several mansions that once belonged to famous men, such as Dreghorn
Castle and Bonally Tower; and Currie (pop. 2513), which was a Roman
station and near which are Curriehill Castle (held by the rebels against
Queen Mary), the ruins of Lennox Tower, and Riccarton, the seat of the
Gibson-Craigs, one of the best-known Midlothian families. At Dalmahoy
Castle, near Ratho (pop. 1946), the seat of the earl of Morton, are
preserved the only extant copy of the bible of the Scottish parliament
and the original warrant for committing Queen Mary to Lochleven Castle
in Kinross-shire. Craigmillar, though situated in the parish of
Liberton, is really a part of Edinburgh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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