Tag Archives: Kirk

Our World Heritage Site

A new exhibition in the heart of the Old Town celebrates Edinburgh as a world heritage site, showcasing the thoughts and opinions of those who call the city home.

The exhibition, housed within the stunning and atmospheric 17th Tron kirk, attempts to capture the essence of our World Heritage Site through the views and perspectives of local people.

As you walk around the 6ft panels of photos, videos, quotes and statistics the story of Edinburgh as it is today is told in sections, the green spaces, housing and building within the city and what it is like to live in the capital.

Each section appears to be a starting point for discussion. For instance 49% of Edinburgh is made up of green spaces, but is the city really green enough environmentally? And how do we protect Edinburgh’s Heritage status in the years to come, through building and conservation.

At the end a huge black board encourages visitors to recommend their Edinburgh highlights, places to visit and experiences to enjoy which may need protecting in the years to come.

And can you name all Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites?

The Antonine Wall; Heart of Neolithic Orkney; New Lanark; St Kilda; The Forth Bridge and The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. Thanks to Historic Environment Scotland for the links and info about them all.

This sketch was drawn on location at the Tron Kirk with a fineliner pen and watercolours, and water brush. 

 

Edinburgh World Heritage website

 

 

Stunning autumn colours at Liberton Kirk in Edinbugh

libertonkirkLiberton Kirk in the south of Einburgh city is currently awash with gorgeous red ivy. When I saw a picture online I now I had to visit.

Sketching on a beautiful calm and sunny morning I was reminded what lovely spaces church yards are, perfect green spaces through out the city perfect for a quiet walk through the falling leaves of this special time of year.

Almost the whole front of the kirk is covered in ivy which is currently a glorious reddy orange but take a look on the Liberton Kirk website and you will see images of the kirk in beautiful greens during the summer.

I met a photographer trying to capture the colours on show and a friendly nursery class collecting orange and red leaves in tiny baskets to take in to the warmth and make an autumn picture from.

I must do that this weekend with the Sketcher Twins 🙂

This sketch was made with a 0.5 fine liner and watercolour using a water brush. Drawn on location. 

Liberton Kirk website

libertonphoto

Calton Hill, from the Canongate Kirk Yard

CanongateKirkyardGraveyards can be beautiful places to draw in, the contrast between precise stone sculpture and overgrown, wild, natural habitation has always been a favourite for art students.

I am often to be found sketching in church yards around Edinburgh and over the years Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile has become a favourite of mine. When I first started drawing for a living I sketched the kirk quite often for wedding stationary and invites for clients due to be married at the 17th-century church.

 

Current building work being carried out behind the Kirk may well change this view which I sketched last summer. I hope not too much as the view over to Calton Hill and the Old Royal High School is delightful.

 

Below is a sketch of the front of the Canongate Kirk, both drawn in black ink with a watercolour wash.

 

CanongateKirk_gate

 

Canongate Kirk website