Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city of Edinburgh from the highest point in the area. It also happens to be atop a dormant volcano.

Today this is the topmost point of “The Royal Mile,” named so because the entire capital city of Scotland used to be contained within this mile, walled off from outsiders, and stewing with everything close quarters in an old time can hold (think sickness, sewage, and smell).

The views from the castle, and even just outside, are amazing! — The views from the castle, and even when outside it, are amazing!

We entered just in time to hear the One O’Clock Gun sound.

That's a huge blank (center). When we hiked up to Arthur's Seat, we still heard the 1 o'clock gun! — That’s a huge blank (center). When we hiked up to Arthur’s Seat the next day, we still heard the 1 o’clock gun!

It was a large and deep BOOM, but a relatively small looking cannon. Our tour guide told us that the other cannons we see on display along the walls came along after Queen Victoria came for a visit and saw the castle had none. She ordered her weapons guy in London to outfit the castle, but these seem rather like a joke for the castle. They are front loading cannons that only fire a few miles max; most often this type of cannon was used on naval ships, not land!

But there is a truly majestic cannon here: Mons Meg, the biggest gun ever fired in anger on British soil. She’s got a 20-inch barrel and shot 400 lb cannon balls that could break down castle walls. Mons Meg is retired now, after a ceremonial shot cracked the barrel.

The sign under Mons Meg reads: "Please do not climb Mons Meg. She levelled castle walls and terrified the enemies of Scotland's kings. But that was more than 500 years ago. Please treat this grand old lady with some respect." — The sign under Mons Meg reads: “Please do not climb Mons Meg. She levelled castle walls and terrified the enemies of Scotland’s kings. But that was more than 500 years ago. Please treat this grand old lady with some respect.”

The castle is mostly “new” in terms of Scottish history. The majority of it was made of wood and was burned down when someone who conquered it did not have enough manpower to hold the castle. Sadly his name escapes me but he figured, if he could’t keep it, he’ll make sure no one could either.

The rightmost building is the surviving church, and the only original building. At one point it was used to store gunpowder/ammunition.

The church is named after St. Margaret, the only Royal Scottish Saint. She lived on Edinburgh Castle grounds in the late 1000s and her son built the church in her honor around 1130. It’s rather small, fitting only about 25 people inside.

The Scottish crown jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, and Stone of Destiny are held at Edinburgh Castle. The Scottish crown is the oldest in the UK! The Stone of Destiny is a rather large piece of sandstone that has been used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries. Like the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, no photos were allowed inside.

edinburgh-castle-7 — The outside of the part of the castle where the Honours are kept.

They’ve been hidden away many times since they were first used to crown infant Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. They were actually thought to be lost as no one had seen them for over a hundred years, after a treaty between England and Scotland until 1818 when Sir Walter Scott rediscovered them.

In 1941, a decision was made to hide the Honours of Scotland to prevent their loss in the event of a German invasion. They were buried in two places: David's Tower (right) and beneath the floor of a medieval toilet! — In 1941, a decision was made to hide the Honours of Scotland to prevent their loss in the event of a German invasion. They were buried in two places: David’s Tower (right) and beneath the floor of a medieval toilet!

In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in Edinburgh castle as well.

You can see Mary's and James' initials (I for James) and the year painted in the room he was born in. — You can see Mary’s and James’ initials (I for James) and the year painted in the room he was born in. Weird to think this painted ceiling is older than the United States of America.

There’s also a memorial to all the Scotsmen who have been lost in battle. For respect, no pictures allowed inside, but it was quite gorgeous.

There is a book with every name of fallen soldiers from both world wars and every military campaign since 1945 until today.

The Great Hall was built for James IV and as our tour guide told us, is reminiscent of a ship’s interior. That’s because it was built by ship makers. The roof is about the only original part of the Great Hall too, as the Victorians redid the rest.

It has weaponry galore on display along the walls.

Most recently, the castle was used to house prisoners of war and criminals.

Also funny to think that Americans were held prisoner (of course! We were at war with Britain after all). Americans were considered "Pirates" and given less rations. They think the beautiful model ship was built by French prisoners. — Also funny to think that Americans were held prisoner (of course! We were at war with Britain after all). Americans were considered “Pirates” and given less rations. They think the beautiful model ship was built by French prisoners.

You could get sent to prison (+ hard labour) for such crimes as being drunk on guard or deserting the army. Beds had a wooden pillow.

Nowadays the castle is quite the historical attraction. Aside from containing a war memorial, the Honours of Scotland, a Great Hall, a Saintly church, and, well being the Castle itself, there are also several museums within the castle grounds.

The National War museum and TWO Regimental Museums display artifacts from Scotland’s war/military history. We did a quick run through of the regimental museums, but it was too late in the day for us to check out the National War museum.

The cutest bit, however, is the dog cemetery, complete with a patch of green grass. It may be the most peaceful part of the castle, overlooking the city and unbothered by the general public.

Edinburgh Castle

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