Horoscope Stone

Inspired by an entry in The Fringes Of Edinburgh by John Geddie (sadly, no publication date) we took our walk on the estate of Lauriston Castle for the first time in many years. The house is closed during the week  but the grounds are free to enter, with lovely views over the Forth.

A Lauriston Castle stood on this site in mediæval times but was almost totally destroyed in the raids on Edinburgh in 1544. The tower house was re-built around 1590 by Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston for Archibald, one of his sons. In 1905, during one of its numerous refurbishments, a stone carving of an astrological horoscope was installed in the outer wall, on the southwest corner: the 'Horoscope Stone', or 'Celestial Them' was reputedly created by John Napier, the inventer of Logarithms, for his half-brother and it is this we came to see (main picture, enhanced to improve clarity).

On the same wall is an interesting inscription to the Dalgleish family (extra 1) with the 'Anagramme', said to be of their names, Robert Dalgleish and Jean Douglas, it reads:- 'God is great and he is al our blis', however the letters do not tally.

Extra 2 shows a few of the other points of interest along the walk, I was pleased to note a bumblebee on the early cherry blossom, primroses in flower, a large caterpillar (possibly an unwelcome leatherjacket) and, of course, snowdrops.

Extra 3 is the sundial situated opposite the front door, described by Canmore as a Multi-faceted sundial set on a double stone plinth. Four vertical gnomons are set in recessed hollows. Six non recessed gnomons are placed randomly. 
The head bears the date 1684 but the pillar is late 19th century.