Steven Robb
@stevenrobb.bsky.social
Heritage watchdog. Interests in architecture, Edinburgh, inter-war social housing and obscure late Jacobite and nonjuring history. All views my own.
The Arms of King Charles III (no not that one) in the Palazzo di San Clemente in Florence. Charles Edward Stuart bought the palace in 1777 living there until 1785. The Latin motto states 'Charles III, born 1720, King of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, 1766.
October 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The Arms of King Charles III (no not that one) in the Palazzo di San Clemente in Florence. Charles Edward Stuart bought the palace in 1777 living there until 1785. The Latin motto states 'Charles III, born 1720, King of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, 1766.
Just published in the Transactions of the LCAS -a study on the pastoral staff of Bishop Thomas Deacon. A rare nonjuring artefact it passed to four subsequent Bishops before use as a Templar Masonic Staff and museum exhibit. Surviving both auctions and thefts it is now held at @lampallib.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Just published in the Transactions of the LCAS -a study on the pastoral staff of Bishop Thomas Deacon. A rare nonjuring artefact it passed to four subsequent Bishops before use as a Templar Masonic Staff and museum exhibit. Surviving both auctions and thefts it is now held at @lampallib.bsky.social
Sir John Hynde Cotton (1686-1752) - Tory politician and Jacobite sympathiser. When told that drinking less wine would be better for his gout-affected leg, he replied 'if it would not bear his usual allowance of six bottles it was no leg to him'.
August 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Sir John Hynde Cotton (1686-1752) - Tory politician and Jacobite sympathiser. When told that drinking less wine would be better for his gout-affected leg, he replied 'if it would not bear his usual allowance of six bottles it was no leg to him'.
Fire on Arthur’s Seat - still spreading
August 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Fire on Arthur’s Seat - still spreading
Fire on Arthur’s Seat
August 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Fire on Arthur’s Seat
A bit of Durham concrete for you.
June 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A bit of Durham concrete for you.
This was underneath it until 1970 !
June 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This was underneath it until 1970 !
Couple of lovely Edinburgh watercolours by Louise Rayner (1832-1924) in forthcoming Lyon & Turnbull sale.
May 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Couple of lovely Edinburgh watercolours by Louise Rayner (1832-1924) in forthcoming Lyon & Turnbull sale.
Wider masterplan ambitions
May 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Wider masterplan ambitions
A rare Georgian survival on Causewayside (33-41 Ratcliffe Terrace) proposed for severe haircut in recent plans for the site. Also includes wider proposals to demolish the former Causewayside Lads Club (1906) by VJ de Spiganovicz - at Nos. 27-31 RT. More on Edin Planning portal - Ref; 25/02258/FUL.
May 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A rare Georgian survival on Causewayside (33-41 Ratcliffe Terrace) proposed for severe haircut in recent plans for the site. Also includes wider proposals to demolish the former Causewayside Lads Club (1906) by VJ de Spiganovicz - at Nos. 27-31 RT. More on Edin Planning portal - Ref; 25/02258/FUL.
Brick Bishop. Stockton on Tees.
May 12, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Brick Bishop. Stockton on Tees.
The sadly derelict Trotter of Mortonhall burial ground, Edinburgh.
May 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The sadly derelict Trotter of Mortonhall burial ground, Edinburgh.
Had forgotten how hard this was.....
May 4, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Had forgotten how hard this was.....
Just saw this in local charity shop. Anyone know the current whereabouts of His Majesty AKA Michel Lafosse ?
March 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Just saw this in local charity shop. Anyone know the current whereabouts of His Majesty AKA Michel Lafosse ?
1832 Edinburgh tenement - graffiti and graffiti 'removal'
March 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
1832 Edinburgh tenement - graffiti and graffiti 'removal'
71 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. An 1830 villa owned by University of Edinburgh. In 2022 and today....
March 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
71 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. An 1830 villa owned by University of Edinburgh. In 2022 and today....
What happened to Edinburgh’s old Parliament Hall ? Find out how much survives - and where the decorative stonework went. In the most recent Book of the Old Edinburgh club.
March 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
What happened to Edinburgh’s old Parliament Hall ? Find out how much survives - and where the decorative stonework went. In the most recent Book of the Old Edinburgh club.
Latest Book of Old Edinburgh Club just out. Great set of articles.
March 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Latest Book of Old Edinburgh Club just out. Great set of articles.
Think this is the only survivor from that photo...
February 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Think this is the only survivor from that photo...
St Marks, Warriston Rd, Edin (1936) Inter-war council housing by EJ MacRae and his team. A good infill scheme - with kinked crescent overlooking a pocket park and more surviving sash windows than you usually find #sashwindowsmatter
February 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
St Marks, Warriston Rd, Edin (1936) Inter-war council housing by EJ MacRae and his team. A good infill scheme - with kinked crescent overlooking a pocket park and more surviving sash windows than you usually find #sashwindowsmatter