Bird's-eye view captured by practical 'on the ground' man

JAMES Gordon of Rothiemay's detailed drawing of Edinburgh, completed in 1647, included the military spur and the city wall unearthed at Edinburgh Castle this week.

Gordon, one of Scotland's foremost mapmakers, was paid 500 merks (a silver coin) after being commissioned by the town council to draw the first "bird's-eye view" map of the city.

Chris Fleet, map collections manager for the National Library of Scotland, said: "Gordon drew up the map using paper, pen and ink before it was passed to an engraver. In this case it was an engraver in Amsterdam because there were few in Scotland.

"This was the first really detailed map of Edinburgh, and it allows you to use supporting evidence to reconstruct what the city was like. It was in use for quite some time and shows quite clearly the area from the castle to Holyrood and the Cowgate.

"His father, Robert Gordon, was a cartographer but James was a practical, 'on the ground' man, who drew up maps of various places, including Fife."

Mr Fleet added: "It's great that such drawings are used today."