Queen Mary's Bath, Holyrood, 1868. Photograph by Archibald Burns (1831–1880).


Medium: albumen print   Publication: Archibald Burns, Picturesque “Bits” from Old Edinburgh, Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh, 1868, pg 42 Helmut Gernsheim, Incunabula of British Photographic Literature, 1839-1875, Scolar Press, London, 1984, pg 62   Other Collections: Princeton Graphic Arts Collection, National Galleries of Scotland   Notes: Archibald Burns was a photographer active in Edinburgh between 1858 and his death in the 1880. He provided photographs for the tourist trade and to illustrate books. The text in Picturesque "Bits" from Old Edinburgh (1st ed. 1868) emphasizes the architectural history of Scotland and the importance of photography in preserving the knowledge of fading vernacular styles and ends with a questions regarding the future of Scottish architecture. In 1871 he was appointed by the Edinburgh Improvement Trust to document an over-crowded slum area of the city after the buildings had been demolished in February 1871. (source: Luminous Lint). Queen Mary’s Bath House: This little turreted structure is supposedly where Mary, Queen of Scots, used to bathe in sweet white wine. However, it is more probable that the curious building was used as a summer pavilion or dovecot. It was once attached to a bourdary wall, enclosing the King's Privy Garden and the Royals would most likely would have used it as summer house. (source: ).


Size: 2613px × 3553px
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Photo credit: © Archive Farms. Inc / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: &, /, 16th, 1800s, 19th, archibald, architecture, archival, bath, black, building, burns, century, edinburgh, facade, famous, fence, historic, historical, history, holyrood, holyroodhouse, house, marys, mile, outdoors, palace, photograph, photography, phtl, queen, royal, scotland, sepia, sidewalk, street, town, turret, white