Walking down one of the stepped closes to Holyrood Road you will now encounter a large mural decorating the wall of the commercial building at 21-23 Slater’s Steps.
This is yet another example of the beautiful art created by Chris Rutterford who designed and created the art for Colinton Tunnel as well as the mural in Braidburn Park.
This commercial commission has energised his creative side, and Chris has found the perfect way to remind everyone who lives in Edinburgh, as well as visitors, that this year marks the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Burgh in Edinburgh in 1124, although he was unaware of the significant anniversary until recently. The mural livens up the space and is being used as a counter graffiti measure by the owners.
It was King David I who introduced the system of royal burghs as a means of economic and political structure. it is believed that the burgh of Edinburgh was the first and dates from 1124. In 1128 the Canongate Burgh was created around Holyrood Abbey although these two were later merged. Burghs have no legal status since 1975 but are recognised informally. The City of Edinburgh Council has chosen to recognise the 900th anniversary this year and next.
Right next to Holyrood Park and one of the major legends about the greenspace in the city is the tale of David I and the stag he encountered in the park – which was at the time more of a forest. King David went hunting on the day of the Holy Cross (when he ought to have been in church) when he came across a huge white deer. His horse bolted and thinking he was about to be gored the king noticed that a cross appeared between its antlers. He tried to get hold of the cross, and when he did so the deer took flight. The king was later convinced it was a message from God. He built Holyrood Abbey nearby, one of the first markers of the city which he granted the status of a royal burgh. David I is a saint recognised by the Roman Catholic Church and although he is commonly regarded as a saint he was never canonised unlike his mother, Margaret, who became Saint Margaret of Scotland.
Listen to Chris describing it here:
Chris said: “I just wanted it to feel really magical. This was a fairly non-descript path but I have brought the forest to it.
“My friend Adam was helping with the practical stuff, so I used him as a model and he is now the King of Scotland.
“I did comics at college and this is essentially a four panel comic which tells the story. The antlers are ever present in the city and I hope this brings the tale to everyone’s notice.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
