Wee Guides to Scotland
Edinburgh Castle
Goblinshead
 130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND
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Standing on a high rock, Edinburgh Castle was one of the strongest and most important fortresses in Scotland. The oldest building is a small Norman chapel of the early 12th century, dedicated to St Margaret, wife of Malcolm Canmore. The castle had an English garrison from 1296 until 1313 during the Wars of Independence, when the Scots, led by Thomas Randolph, climbed the rock, surprised the garrison, and retook it. The castle was slighted, but there was an English garrison here again until 1341, when it was retaken by a Scot's force disguised as merchants. In 1367-71 David II rebuilt the castle with strong curtain walls and towers, and a large L-plan keep, David's Tower, which was named after him. After the murder of the young Earl of Douglas and his brother at the 'Black Dinner' at the castle in 1440, it was attacked and captured by the Douglases after a nine month siege, and required substantial repairs. In 1566 Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth to the future James VI in the castle. After her abdication, it was held on her behalf, until English help forced it to surrender in 1573. The castle was captured in 1640 after a three-month siege by the Covenanters, and Cromwell besieged it throughout the autumn of 1650. The Jacobites failed to take it in both the 1715 and 1745 Risings. The castle is the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the Stone of Destiny - on which the Kings of Scots were inaugurated - and is an interesting complex of buildings with spectacular views over the capital. Visitors with a disability can be taken to the top of the castle by a courtesy vehicle; ramps and lift access to Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny. Disabled facilities and WC.
Directions: Off A1, in the centre of Edinburgh.
Ownership: HS 0131 225 9846 Ord. Survey Map Ref: NT 252735 66
Open: Open daily all year..
Key: P Nearby S R WC £ Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

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email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk

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