This August marks the 2 hundredth anniversary for the reason that go to of King George IV to Edinburgh. Touchdown at Leith on 15 August 1822, this may have been the primary go to to Scotland by a reigning monarch in over 170 years.
To have fun the bicentenary, the Collections workforce at Historic Setting Scotland invite you to discover the historic touchdown by means of a number of the fascinating objects in our care.
A colored engraving by W.H. Lizars of the touchdown of the King George IV at Leith
Because the touchdown level for the King’s arrival, Leith performed a pivotal position within the Royal go to. These accustomed to the realm will probably recognise The Shore which is depicted above by Edinburgh-born artist William H. Lizars, one among a number of artists who attended the occasion.
The advantageous particulars in his engraving enable us to determine the enterprise names on the buildings behind the crowds, together with the Outdated Ship Tavern, on the similar spot the place The Ship On The Shore stands at present. The scene additionally reveals us simply how many individuals got here to see the arrival of the King. Look out for the crowds gathered precariously on the raised drawbridge!
Sunshine on Leith?
The Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters of Trinity Home have been answerable for the secure passage of the King and his get together into the harbour.
Trinity Home in Leith, as soon as the headquarters of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters, now a maritime museum
The touchdown was organised for 14 August. However whereas the Royal yacht anchored efficiently at Inchkeith, the climate was thought of too stormy for a secure touchdown in Leith that day.
Famend Scottish author Sir Walter Scott orchestrated the proceedings. Reasonably than touchdown on the extra sensible deep-water harbour in Newhaven, Leith was chosen by Scott for its historic Royal connections, citing specifically the touchdown of Mary Queen of Scots in 1561. To get to the shallower location, smaller barges have been used as an alternative to move the King and his get together from the Royal yacht, the King George.
A mezzotint of Mary Queen of Scots touchdown at Leith held within the HES Collections
Tickets, please!
As is obvious within the painted depictions of the occasion, the Royal touchdown drew very giant crowds. It’s believed that the go to noticed some 300,000 folks gathering throughout Leith and Edinburgh for the event.
A ticketed enclosure was sectioned off for a choose few dignitaries of Leith, together with some Members of Trinity Home. A few these tickets survive in our collections. On the again of each is a handwritten notice which entitled the bearer to ‘one bottle of sherry’. What a merry event!
The back and front of a ticket to an enclosed space on the pier for the Royal touchdown
Dressed to Impress
This ticketed enclosure was situated in entrance of the tavern buildings on the Shore. Nicely-dressed dignitaries may be seen close to the King within the beneath aquatint by Haddington-born artist, Alexander Carse.
Visitors and spectators have been suggested what to put on and find out how to behave by Walter Scott’s anonymously printed booklet Hints Addressed To The Inhabitants Of Edinburgh And Others In Prospect Of His Majesty’s Go to By An Outdated Citizen.
The instructions may very well be very particular. For instance, the instruction for feminine invitees included what number of feathers to put on of their head clothes! Male dignitaries have been instructed to decorate within the nationwide colors of Scotland, in a blue coat with a white waistcoat and pantaloons.
Aquatint of the touchdown scene in Leith by Alexander Carse
Batons and processions
Some visitors have been additionally requested to hold a rod or baton to indicate their membership of a civic physique. The baton beneath was issued specifically for the Royal go to. There are two gilded bands. One is inscribed “G IV R” (the royal cypher of George IV) and the opposite “Leith”.
It’s thought to have been carried on the occasion by John Hay, a former Grasp of Trinity Home. In case you look intently, you possibly can spot 4 gents utilizing batons like this one in Carse’s depiction of the scene:
After touchdown in Leith, the Royal procession continued from Bernard Road after which up Leith Stroll. Sir Walter Scott believed that ‘no metropolis in Europe can boast a nobler avenue.” From right here the procession crossed Princes Road and paraded down by means of Abbeyhill to reach on the Palace of Holyrood Home.
You may see these objects and extra fascinating maritime curiosities at Trinity Home’s Doorways Open Day occasion on 24 and 25 September.
For images of a more moderen Royal go to to Edinburgh, try our weblog put up about the Queen’s go to to Edinburgh throughout her Silver Jubilee in 1977.
