Edinburgh Castle
a long expanse of the curtain wall and battery
The Scottish War Memorial lies to the west in a large new builting, on the site of the old North barracks (of 1755). A small part of an earlier chapel is incorporated into the building.
Most of the original buildings surrouding the interior courtyard have been replaced wit later military barracks. Even the 16th century Great Hall was made ito barracks (although restored in the 19th century). A military prison, armory, and munitions stores have also been added within the walls.
Ownership
No one family is responsible for the castle here, as it has been a royal castle throughout most of its life.
the ceremonial 'cannon' fired off each day
In 1174, William the Lion ceded Edinburgh and three other castles to Henry II of England, although the castle was returned as a dowry, when the king married an English noblewoman.In 1296, the castle withstood only eight days of siege before surrendering to the English Kng Edward both the castle and the false Scottish King John Balliol.
The English garrisoned the castle from 1296 to 1313, but the Scots climbed the cliffs on the steep side of the castle and surprised the English, retaking the castle. But, it went back to the English ...and back to the Scots in 1341.
The Douglasses captured the castle in 1440 after David Douglas was murdered at the 'Black Dinner'. It took a nine-month siege, and the castle was damaged.
Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI in the castle in 1566, and the castle was held in her name until it fell to the English once again in 1573. Covenanters took the castle in 1640 after another extended siege, and Cromwell followed on with another seige in 1650.
looking out over Edinburgh from the walls
The castle was repaired in thd 1690s, but was only minimally garrisoned in 1706.
Notes
The castle is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and a number of museums. The War Memorial is very touching.
The Edinburgh Tattoo (massed pipes and drums and all sorts of ceremonial frippery) are held here each year.