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Edinburgh Castle
Watch VideoPerched on top of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline. The Castle became a royal fortress during the reign of David I from 1124-1153. Since then it has witnessed some pivotal moments in the country's history and for centuries it has provided Scotland with a royal and a military base. It tells a bloody story having come under attack a shocking thirteen times.
In the early 14th century the famous Scottish leader Robert the Bruce led a successful revolt against the English who had claimed the castle under Edward I. Today, his statue stands at the front gate as a symbol of Scotland defending its independence. It was not until the Stewart dynasty however, that Edinburgh really began to grow in importance. James III developed the castle, making it his permanent home. He ordered the Palace buildings to be constructed and his Great Hall was finally completed under James IV.
To explore this famous historic landmark is to trace the footsteps of many a Scottish legend, from Robert the Bruce to Mary Queen of Scots. There is so much to explore but no visit is complete without seeing the famous Stone of Destiny (which crowned many a Scottish King), the One O'clock Gun and the magnificent Laich Hall.
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Edinburgh Castle has been strategically important for centuries. During medieval times, the English and Scots fought for control of the castle several times. Cromwell captured it in 1650 and it effectively became a military garrison from 1660 onwards. Today, Edinburgh Castle is the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. More than 100 military personnel work there, supervising army deployments all over the world.
Timely Report
If it's coming up to lunchtime while you're visiting Edinburgh Castle, brace yourself for a loud bang. The One O'clock Gun is fired at precisely 1pm every day except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday. The ceremony goes back to Victorian times, when the gun was fired as part of an audio-visual time signal for shipping in the Port of Leith and the Firth of Forth.
Edinburgh castle was the site of the first gathering of the Scottish Parliament in 1140 and there has been a fortress on this rock since at least 1093. Famously, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James at the castle, who grew up to unite the crowns of Scotland and England as King James VI and James I.
It has seen sieges and battles between English and Scottish forces and housed many a criminal awaiting execution on Castle Hill. There were different grades of confinement depending on the class of prisoner, from dark dungeons for peasants to pleasant apartments for royalty. During the war with America in the late 18th century, up to 1000 Americans were imprisoned here and they left behind graffiti to prove it - one of the earliest depictions of the Stars and Stripes is to be found on the walls here.
Crown jewels
The story of the jewels at the castle is worthy of a Harry Potter novel. The jewels, known as 'the honours', include the crown, sword and sceptre, which were first used together at the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots. But since the Union in 1707, they had lain forgotten until February 1818 when a small group of people, including Walter Scott, broke down the door of the Crown Room and forced open the great oak chest. There they discovered the glittering 16th-century regalia, the oldest in the UK. The Crown of Scotland was used again on 1st July 1999 for the opening of Scottish Parliament.
Guns at one o'clock
First fired on 7th June 1861, the castle's 'One O'Clock Gun' is still fired at 1300 hours every day except Sundays, Christmas and Good Friday. It was originally fired as a signal to ships in the Port of Leith and the Firth of Forth. An older, medieval siege gun, called Mons Meg after the place in Belgium where it was made, was last fired in 1681. It weighs over six tonnes and needed 100 men to move it.
Stone of Destiny
Also known as the stone of Sconce (see The History of Westminster Abbey) this was the ancient seat on which Scottish Kings were crowned until Longshanks (Edward I) took it from Scone Abbey in 1296 to Westminster Abbey where it was sat beneath the Coronation Chair. It came back to Edinburgh Castle in 1996 and will leave only when there is a coronation in Westminster Abbey.
Feature supplied by Heritage magazine. About Heritage Magazine.
Historic Scotland cares for the nation's built heritage. Each year, their 1,000 members of staff care for 345 historic attractions, which includes 75 admission-based visitor attractions collectively welcoming almost three million visitors a year. Among this portfolio are the prestigious, marvellous and sacred sites of Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae and Iona Abbey.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's number one attraction, visited by around 1.3 million people a year. In its striking position overlooking the capital city, the mighty Castle has such splendour and historical significance it has become a world famous icon and part of Edinburgh's old and new town World Heritage Site.
On top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across the city, many defining moments of Scottish history took place here. A key attraction is the Scottish Crown Jewels. Crown, sword and sceptre are amongst the oldest regalia in Europe. The Stone of Destiny, the ancient coronation seat of Scottish kings and indeed also of future kings and queens of England, is also here following its return to Scotland from England in 1996.
With over 70 buildings making up the Edinburgh Castle site, there is much to explore. Other attractions in the upper level include the oldest building in Edinburgh, the tiny but simple St Margaret's Chapel, the Royal Apartments and the Great Hall, the latter of which is adorned with ancient weapons. At the very top of the Castle, in a salute towards the sea, is Mons Meg. This huge cannon is among Europe's oldest surviving medieval bombards. Elsewhere the world famous One O'clock Gun stands to attention, ready to be fired across the city almost every day of the year, for locals to set their clocks by.
Military life and history at the Castle is very much present and correct. Not only is a full time working military base with operational battalions based here, the Castle is also home to the National War Memorial, the National War Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scots Regimental Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum. This military influence continues to add to the lively atmosphere always present within the Castle walls.
Skara Brae
Around 300 miles north of Scotland's capital city lies Skara Brae - an ancient Neolithic capital. This settlement is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. The village layout creates a vivid impression of the realities of a neolithic community. Stone beds, dressers and seats - and a replica construction of an interior - demonstrate fascinating features of domestic life.
Iona Abbey
Away from the harsh winds of the northern isles, on the west coast of Scotland lies the spiritually calming Iona Abbey. One of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites, Iona Abbey was founded by St Columba and his Irish followers in AD 563. A celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains a vital place of worship.
For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties.
Behind The Scenes: The Big Bang
Prized PossessionEdinburgh Castle has been strategically important for centuries. During medieval times, the English and Scots fought for control of the castle several times. Cromwell captured it in 1650 and it effectively became a military garrison from 1660 onwards. Today, Edinburgh Castle is the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. More than 100 military personnel work there, supervising army deployments all over the world.
Timely Report
If it's coming up to lunchtime while you're visiting Edinburgh Castle, brace yourself for a loud bang. The One O'clock Gun is fired at precisely 1pm every day except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday. The ceremony goes back to Victorian times, when the gun was fired as part of an audio-visual time signal for shipping in the Port of Leith and the Firth of Forth.
The History of Edinburgh Castle
Steeped in historyEdinburgh castle was the site of the first gathering of the Scottish Parliament in 1140 and there has been a fortress on this rock since at least 1093. Famously, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James at the castle, who grew up to unite the crowns of Scotland and England as King James VI and James I.
It has seen sieges and battles between English and Scottish forces and housed many a criminal awaiting execution on Castle Hill. There were different grades of confinement depending on the class of prisoner, from dark dungeons for peasants to pleasant apartments for royalty. During the war with America in the late 18th century, up to 1000 Americans were imprisoned here and they left behind graffiti to prove it - one of the earliest depictions of the Stars and Stripes is to be found on the walls here.
Crown jewels
The story of the jewels at the castle is worthy of a Harry Potter novel. The jewels, known as 'the honours', include the crown, sword and sceptre, which were first used together at the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots. But since the Union in 1707, they had lain forgotten until February 1818 when a small group of people, including Walter Scott, broke down the door of the Crown Room and forced open the great oak chest. There they discovered the glittering 16th-century regalia, the oldest in the UK. The Crown of Scotland was used again on 1st July 1999 for the opening of Scottish Parliament.
Guns at one o'clock
First fired on 7th June 1861, the castle's 'One O'Clock Gun' is still fired at 1300 hours every day except Sundays, Christmas and Good Friday. It was originally fired as a signal to ships in the Port of Leith and the Firth of Forth. An older, medieval siege gun, called Mons Meg after the place in Belgium where it was made, was last fired in 1681. It weighs over six tonnes and needed 100 men to move it.
Stone of Destiny
Also known as the stone of Sconce (see The History of Westminster Abbey) this was the ancient seat on which Scottish Kings were crowned until Longshanks (Edward I) took it from Scone Abbey in 1296 to Westminster Abbey where it was sat beneath the Coronation Chair. It came back to Edinburgh Castle in 1996 and will leave only when there is a coronation in Westminster Abbey.
Feature supplied by Heritage magazine. About Heritage Magazine.
Events from Historic Scotland
Scotland's story is strong, powerful and poignant; much of this nation's tale is told through its ancient monuments and historic buildings. All over Scotland, prehistoric standing stones, medieval abbeys, great gardens, palaces, lighthouses, mills, cathedrals and magnificent castles span 5,000 years of this country's great history.Historic Scotland cares for the nation's built heritage. Each year, their 1,000 members of staff care for 345 historic attractions, which includes 75 admission-based visitor attractions collectively welcoming almost three million visitors a year. Among this portfolio are the prestigious, marvellous and sacred sites of Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae and Iona Abbey.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's number one attraction, visited by around 1.3 million people a year. In its striking position overlooking the capital city, the mighty Castle has such splendour and historical significance it has become a world famous icon and part of Edinburgh's old and new town World Heritage Site.
On top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across the city, many defining moments of Scottish history took place here. A key attraction is the Scottish Crown Jewels. Crown, sword and sceptre are amongst the oldest regalia in Europe. The Stone of Destiny, the ancient coronation seat of Scottish kings and indeed also of future kings and queens of England, is also here following its return to Scotland from England in 1996.
With over 70 buildings making up the Edinburgh Castle site, there is much to explore. Other attractions in the upper level include the oldest building in Edinburgh, the tiny but simple St Margaret's Chapel, the Royal Apartments and the Great Hall, the latter of which is adorned with ancient weapons. At the very top of the Castle, in a salute towards the sea, is Mons Meg. This huge cannon is among Europe's oldest surviving medieval bombards. Elsewhere the world famous One O'clock Gun stands to attention, ready to be fired across the city almost every day of the year, for locals to set their clocks by.
Military life and history at the Castle is very much present and correct. Not only is a full time working military base with operational battalions based here, the Castle is also home to the National War Memorial, the National War Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scots Regimental Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum. This military influence continues to add to the lively atmosphere always present within the Castle walls.
Skara Brae
Around 300 miles north of Scotland's capital city lies Skara Brae - an ancient Neolithic capital. This settlement is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. The village layout creates a vivid impression of the realities of a neolithic community. Stone beds, dressers and seats - and a replica construction of an interior - demonstrate fascinating features of domestic life.
Iona Abbey
Away from the harsh winds of the northern isles, on the west coast of Scotland lies the spiritually calming Iona Abbey. One of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites, Iona Abbey was founded by St Columba and his Irish followers in AD 563. A celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains a vital place of worship.
For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties.
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