A Designe for better securing the entrance into Edinburgh Castle 1710 /
Edwards, Talbot,1687-1719.
cartographic

1710.
There is an extensive note at the top of the sheet, explaining the alterations which Talbot Edwards was putting forward as necessary to improve the defences of the castle. A profile accompanying this is at shelfmark MS.1649.Z.03/58c, signed by Talbot Edwards and dated November 1710. The original work, designed and built by Theodore Dury (at shelfmark MS.1649.Z.03/58b) had not been thought to be adequate by Major John O'Brien. The plan at shelfmark MS.1649.Z.03/58a shows the actual alterations which were carried out in 1710. This apparent quarrel is noted on several other plans, specifically from Stirling and Dumbarton.
This sheet has the stamp of the Inspector General of Fortifications, rather than the stamp of the Board of Ordnance. It was handed down through his family from William Skinner, who was Chief Engineer for Scotland from 1746, and then of Great Britain, to his death in 1780, and was the architect of Fort George, Ardersier. It eventually came into the hands of his great-great-grandson Major Thomas Skinner (1804-1877), who wote a provenance note on it when he passed it on to his own son, Lieutenant Monier Skinner, in 1872.  Talbot Edwards married William Skinner's older sister, and brought him up after the death of their parents, and presumably passed these plans on to him.
At top of sheet: title, date, and handwritten explanation of the alterations to the castle, in Talbot Edwards handwriting.
At left hand side: handwritten in ink "Handed over to Lieut. Monier Skinner R. Engrs. by his father in 1872", and above, "31" printed on pasted-on label, and library shelfmark written in ink.
At right hand side: "I.G.F." with upwards arrow, stamped in red.
At bottom of sheet: Talbot Edwards signature, and "[Scale] of Feet", with scale bar graded [0]-50-[0]-100-200-300-400-600.
Shows Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Board of Ordnance Plans,
Dury, Theodore, active 1670-1742.
O'Brien, John, active 1709.
Skinner, Monier, active 1872.
Skinner, Thomas, 1804-1877.
Skinner, William, 1700-1780.
Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Inspector General of Fortifications.
Maps, Military