Edinburgh Castle- Scotland 2013

 24 April 2013

Our  last visit  to Edinburgh Castle was  in 1989 so we were eager to take another look at this world famous UNESCO site which has witnessed many of the defining moments in Scottish History. Photography was allowed outside and in some of the interior  areas but we were certainly restricted by the rain and by the limited interior areas we could photograph.

Today the Castle is home to Scotland's Crown Jewels, three Military Museums, the National War Museum, the Prisons of War Exhibition, the famous 15th century gun, Mons Meg,  the Stone of Destiny and the One O' Clock Gun. A few hours visit is just not long enough!

Every August the Castle esplanade is the venue for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which we would love to attend one day! 

(Remember to Click to enlarge the photos)

Fran in Winter Kit at Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh from its position on top the volcanic Castle Rock (260'- 80m) and at the eastern end of the Royal Mile. The views over the city are spectacular. It is reputed to get over one million visitors a year and it was the first castle we visited in our month in Scotland!

Edinburgh Castle

As the weather was somewhat inclement we decided to wander around the exterior while we had the chance.

Crown Square and Clock Tower

This magnificent statue  dominates the square near the National War Museum. Field Marshal Douglas Haig was a British senior officer during WWI  and commanded the British Expeditionary Force from 1915 to the end of the War.

Field Marshal Douglas Haig

Weapon Demonstration

 The sign reads "Cemetery for Soldier Dogs" so we just had to have the photograph!


Doggie Cemetery

Another popular  attraction at the Castle is the  Mons Meg, a huge cannon which is among Europe’s oldest surviving medieval bombards. This 6 ton muzzle-loading cannon was able to fire 150kg cannon balls  for a range of 2 miles and was last fired  in 1681 to celebrate the birthday of King James V11 of Scotland. Tom just had to be in this photo!



Tom with the famous 15th century Mons Meg Cannon

Although we joined the crowds milling around to  see  the Royal Artillery fire the famous One O'Clock Gun  which  is fired every day we do not have a photo to post. This one is from the Internet.

The One O'Clock Gun Edinburgh Castle.

Part of the Battery

Inner Courtyard.

When it began to rain and became bitterly cold we headed into the various Museums including the

Scottish National War Memorial,  the National War Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scots Regimental Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum.

The Scottish National War Memorial was built as a memorial to Scottish Servicemen who died in the First World War. However, the names of all Scottish Servicemen who have died on operations since the First World War are now recorded. A Memorial Service is held each year to recognise their ultimate sacrifice.

While in the National War Museum we took  photos of the famous painting of the Thin Red Line, of Trooper Haig and one of the war recruiting posters.

Battle of Balaclava 1854 (Robert Gibb)

This famous watercolour  painted by W Skeoch Cumming was absolutely splendid. Trooper JRP Haig, a cousin of Field Marshall Haig, was a volunteer in the British Imperial Yeomanry and  mainly saw action during the Second Boer War.

Trooper J R P Haig (W S Cumming)

One of the many Recruiting Posters.

Just of Few Medals!

We dutifully lined up with all the other tourists to view the exquisite Scottish Crown Jewels (Honours of Scotland) which  date back to15th and 16th centuries. The crown, sword and sceptre are amongst the oldest regalia in Europe and are displayed with the Stone of Destiny and  the coronation seat of Scottish Kings. Photography was not allowed and we were shunted along as quickly as possible so we were a tad disappointed in the whole procedure.    

(Photograph courtesy of the Internet)




Scottish Crown Jewels

The tiny St Margaret’s Chapel, the Royal Apartments and the Great Hall, built by James IV in 1511, are  impressive parts of the castle to explore although photography was limited. Fortunately we were able to take some shots in the Great hall which measures 29 by 12.5 metres (95 by 41.0 ft), and was the chief place of state assembly in the Castle. The armoury display was rather impressive.

Tom with a Child's Armour

This is for a Bigger Man

Interior of the Great hall

These keys have King's and Queen's Names on them.

There was so much more to see at Edinburgh Castle but our time was limited and the weather conditions were not to our liking.  We have promised ourselves a return visit!