Early Edinburgh was a small settlement on the eastern side of the fortified rock, huddled close to the crag for protection. In the valley was a stretch of water, the Nor' Loch, which was developed in the fifteenth century as part of the town's defences

Though the castle is a historic monument, it is also a working military establishment, being the headquarters of the Scottish Division: that is why there is a guard on the main gate.

Within the confines of the Castle, there is much to see. It was the seat of Scottish Kings, and the historical apartments include the Great Hall, which now houses an interesting collection of weapons and armour. Statues out side the entrance gates to the castle grounds are set into the wall alcoves, on one side is Robert the Bruce and on the other side is William Wallace

The Royal apartments include a tiny room in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the boy who was to become King James VI of Scotland and James 1 of England upon the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603.

The ancient Honours of Scotland - the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State - are on view in the Crown Room.

Near the summit of the castle a small, well-tended plot below the ramparts has served for many years as a cemetery for the pets of members of the garrison.

The oldest building in all Edinburgh is to be found within the Castle precincts. It is St. Margaret's Chapel, built almost 1,000 years ago in honour of the saintly wife of King Malcolm III, a tiny Norman building which has been standing there intact for more than 900 years. It has survived all the sieges and bombardments to which the fortress on the rock was subjected during that period. On several occasions the castle was razed - but the demolishers invariably spared the chapel of the good St Margaret because of its religious significance. Today, members of the castle garrison still have the right to be married within the Chapel.

In the north-east corner of the esplanade there is a small iron wall-fountain; it is popularly known as the Witches' Well, and it commemorates the grim fact that, centuries ago, many women held to be guilty of witchcraft were put to death at the stake on this spot.

The castle is also the home of the most famous cannon in Scotland: Mons Meg, a massive fifteenth-century bombard, which was reputed to be able to fire a large stone cannonball a distance of one-and-a-half miles.
Salutes from the castle these days are fired by more modern artillery, when for example Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her birthday or enters Edinburgh on an official visit.

A unique happening within the castle is the One o'Clock Gun, which is fired at that hour every day (except Sunday) to enable citizens and visitors to check their clocks and watches. The origin of the tradition lies in the days when sailing ships in the Firth of Forth were able to check their chronometers by training a telescope on the castle.

The Castle Esplanade is the venue of the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the annual occasion on which, over a period of three weeks in August, the Army presents a lively programme of music, marching and historical re-enactments under floodlights before large and appreciative audiences.

Return to the Fridge door