History
This Historic castle sits atop the Castle Rock dominating the Skyline of the Scottish Capital of Edinburgh, Archaeologists have said that humans have established occupation of Castle Rock since the Iron Ages, Edinburgh Castle has been an important part of Scotland’s History.
In its 1100 years it has been attacked, that we know of, 26 times making it one of the most attacked Castles in the world and the most attacked in Great Britain.
This great castle has traded hands many time during the war of Scottish Independence in the 14th Century between the Scottish and the English, the Castle was also involved many times during the Jacobite Rising of 1745.
Many other sieges of Edinburgh Castle are:
- The First War of Scottish Independence.
- The Second War of Scottish Independence.
- The 15th Century Siege.
- The Lang Siege.
- Civil War.
- The First Jacobites Rising.
- The Second Jacobites Rising.
- The First and Second World War. (As a prison.)
Photo taken by Unknown.
There are very few buildings in Edinburgh the pre-date the Castle but one that is noteworthy is St. Margaret’s Chapel, this chapel is regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh.
The Castle holds the Scottish National War Memorial and the National War Museum of Scotland. There are still parts of the Castle that the British army still have responsibility of but their presence is mostly Ceremonial and Administrative, some of the Castle building hold the Regimental Museums which serve as tourist attractions.
The Castle itself is the most paid for tourist attraction in Scotland, there was over 1.4 million visitors in 2013 and over 70% of social visitors come to the Castle, due to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during the annual Edinburgh International Festival the Castle has become a symbol of Edinburgh and Scotland.
Castle Rock summit is 130 metres (430ft) above sea level, rocky cliffs are to the South West and North, which rises to a height of 80metres (260ft) above the landscape around the Castle Rock, the East is the only clear path up to the Castle which as you can see is a great defensive advantage during the Wars.
There were many issues getting water up to the Castle due to the terrain even though there is a 28metre (92ft) deep well for water the supply would run out during drought and when under siege.
For more information on Edinburgh Castle try the Wiki at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle or if you are interested in a tour of Edinburgh visit https://eoscs.co.uk/car-tours-of-scotland/
To find out more about the attractions and places to see we have created a list to help you decide on some the best that Edinburgh has to offer Edinburgh Tourist Attractions.