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Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Scotland. The rich history of this amazing place, the unique architecture displaying the “face” of different eras and many legends passed from mouth to mouth for several centuries make the castle an iconic part of old and new Edinburgh which hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world want to see every year.
Edinburgh Castle has ancient origins. It is situated on a rock and rises majestically above the city. It crowns the magnificent view of the capital of Scotland, being at the same time a symbol of the heritage of this country.
The castle is built on top of an extinct volcano called Castle Rock. The history of this place began in the Iron Age when the first settlers founded a hill fort on Castle Rock. The first mention of the fortress dates back to 600AD.
Edinburgh Castle – the residence of the kings of Scotland
Over its centuries-long history the castle has changed hands many times. It has been the residence of the kings of Scotland since the 12th century. In 1093 Queen Margaret, who was later canonised, said goodbye to life within the walls of the fortress. Her son, King David I, built a chapel in her honour which today is the oldest building in Edinburgh.
The first meeting of the Scottish Parliament took place within the castle walls in 1140. Celebrations and state events were held in the Great Hall of the castle for King James IV in 1511.
Mary gave birth to a son, James IV, in the Royal Palace in 1566 and he later became king at the age of 13 months. He united the crowns of England and Scotland in 1603.
The military significance of Edinburgh Castle
The military and strategic significance of the castle was also very important. Since the castle is located at the very top of the mountain its walls offer a wonderful view of the approaches and surrounding area which often determined the outcome of most military battles. The fortress was repeatedly besieged and stormed. A raid led by Thomas Randolph in 1314 ended with the Scots winning the fortress back from the English.
The castle has been an important military base since the 1650’s. Its walls were last stormed by the Jacobites in 1745. A military garrison was stationed there until 1923. The fortress dungeons were used as a prison for hundreds of prisoners of war between 1757 and 1824.
It has been open to the public since 1830 and is today Scotland’s most visited historic site although it retains a military presence.
Edinburgh Castle architecture
The architectural appearance of Edinburgh Castle combines the personification of the different periods of construction of this amazing building. The oldest object is the Chapel of St. Margaret built in the 12th century.
One of the castle’s most spectacular features is the Great Hall which was built in the 16th century and the Royal Palace where James VI was born. A later addition, the Half Moon Battery, was built after the siege of Lang in 1573. It was armed with bronze cannons called the Seven Sisters for two hundred years. Another battery, the Argyll Battery, is open-air and also protected by six guns.
The construction of the castle continued for several centuries. More and more new parts were added, each of which reflects the architectural style of its time from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
Edinburgh Castle today
Edinburgh Castle is the most visited historical landmark in Scotland nowadays. The road leading to the walls of the fortress is called the Royal Mile (its length is exactly one Scottish mile). All visitors to the castle are greeted by the main gates built in 1888. The figures of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce adorn both sides of the gate, the main fighters for the independence of Scotland. Various events are regularly held within the walls of the castle. There are several museums that describe different eras of Scotland and introduce the history of the country.
St Margaret’s Chapel continues to host weddings today. The complex also houses the Scottish National War Memorial which commemorates the Scots who died in the First and Second World Wars.
The Royal Palace is next to a memorial in which are kept the main shrines of Scotland including:
- The Stone of Scone or the Stone of Destiny, a symbol of Scottish independence. The stone is a monolithic slab that was historically used to crown the rulers of Scotland. Edward I took the sacred stone to England as a trophy after winning a battle in 1296. The Scots made many attempts to have the stone returned, but it was not until 1996 that the British government decided to return the Stone of Scone to Scotland. The relic was met by 10,000 Scots who lined the Royal Mile as the sacred symbol was carried to the castle.
Today the Stone of Destiny continues to be used in the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs.
- The Crown of the Scottish Kings – for over a century the crown was considered lost, but in 1818 it was found in one of the abandoned rooms of the castle by Walter Scott.
- The Honours of Scotland or the Scottish Crown Jewels are the oldest jewels in the form of a crown, sceptre and sword of state, made of silver and decorated with precious stones. They were created during the reigns of James IV and James V. The jewels were first used during the coronation of Mary Stuart in 1543.
The Great Hall is next to the Palace and was built in the 16th century. Various ceremonies and events are held there today.
The castle’s esplanade is used for the Royal Military Tattoo, a performance featuring military bands, dancers and artists.
The Mills Mount Battery is home to the “One o’clock Gun”. The gun is fired at exactly one o’clock every day except Sunday. This tradition dates back to 1861. At that time the shot was used as a signal to ships in the Firth of Forth and Leith so that captains could set their sea clocks accurately. Today the shot symbolizes the city’s connection to the traditions and history of Edinburgh.
The castle walls offer breathtaking views of the city of New Edinburgh and its significant sites – the Scottish National Gallery, the Walter Scott Monument, the Nelson Monument and others.
Edinburgh Castle is open to visitors all year round. Tourists are able to visit the main buildings of the complex, take part in ceremonial events and, using an audio guide, can learn the history of the place, royal traditions, legends and tales of the royal family.
