The cannon 'Mons Meg' at Edinburgh Castle, and a private in the 2nd battalion of Royal Scots who garrisoned the Castle in 1846 1846

This is an image made around 1846 by David Octavius Hill, using early photographic techniques. It shows the cannon 'Mons Meg' at Edinburgh Castle, and a private in the 2nd battalion of Royal Scots. Edinburgh Castle is an institution in itself. As a site it has military, royal, and national significance, and it is the combination of these that makes it important in Scotland's cultural memory. The cannon, made in the 15th century, is itself a relic of military power, but by the 19th century it had become more of a tourist attraction than a weapon. The presence of the soldier reminds us of the continuing military function of the castle, and the role of the army in maintaining social order. To understand the image more fully, we would want to investigate the histories of the castle and the Royal Scots, and look into how people viewed military power in the mid-19th century. Through this research, we can understand the role this image plays in the long history of the site.