Edinburgh Castle

Nearest town:
Edinburgh (2km NNW)
OS reference:
NT251735
OS sheet:
66
Latitude:
55° 56' 54.95 N
Longitude:
3° 11' 58.19 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Edinburgh Castle (Hillfort) by Howburn Digger

From “Prehistoric Edinburgh” by James Grant in “Edinburgh Old and New” Cassell’s 1880’s. The reservoir referred to marked the very end of the massive waterworks (and miracle of Victorian Engineering and Vision) which still runs from Lochs Talla and Fruid in Tweedsmuir near Moffat. The Edinburgh Freshwater Reservoir stood (still stands but unused for reservoir purposes) at the corner of Ramsay Lane (by the Camera Obscura) and is now home to the Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition. I stood at the bottom of the (empty reservoir) about twenty years ago before the “Tartanisation” took place. It was very deep indeed and the gravity feed all the way from Tweedsmuir fed fresh water to the Old and New Town from this high spot on Castle Hill.

Image credit: Howburn Digger/ James Grant/ Cassell's
Howburn Digger
Howburn Digger Aug 14, 2012
Image of Edinburgh Castle (Hillfort) by BigSweetie

although there are no visible remains, this photo shows what a perfect site for a hillfort this would make

Image credit: Andy Sweet
BigSweetie
BigSweetie May 25, 2008

Articles

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle's 'lost history' unearthed

pebblesfromheaven
pebblesfromheaven May 21, 2007

from BBC website

Archaeologists have discovered traces of ancient remains at Edinburgh Castle during preparation work for the construction of a new visitor centre.
Experts said borehole samples revealed debris dating from before the Iron Age, more than 2,000 years ago.

Historic Scotland’s Peter Yeoman said the finds were “truly invaluable” because they helped to explain the site’s “lost history”.

Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions.

Mr Yeoman, a senior archaeologist with the castle’s owners Historic Scotland, said that it was certain that the front of the area where the castle now stands was encircled by two massive ditches as long ago as the Iron Age.

Inside the ditches are layers of remains including pottery and food debris built up over several centuries.

Edinburgh Castle stands high above the city centre on top of an extinct volcanic plug.

Edinburgh Castle

thelonious
thelonious Feb 1, 2018

27/01/2018 – After a very windy walk round Arthur’s Seat in the morning we made our way up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle.

Our siege on the castle was quickly halted at the entrance by a very nice woman who informed us that our rucksacks were too big to take in (44L size in case you were wondering, pack small if you visit). With our attack thwarted so quickly we made the slow walk back to where we were staying to regroup.

One hour later we were back. Travelling light we made it past the guard this time and into the castle. Our second assault again came to an abrupt halt. This time by a long snaking chain of people. Quickly realising this might work to our advantage and offer us a way through we joined the queue and tried to blend in. What seemed like hours later (probably nearer 10 minutes) we reached the head and another nice person to deal with. This time we made it past first go though not unscathed, my wallet took a direct hit on the way (£34 for the two of us).

Finally we made it into the main areas, we went into full tourist mode and started taking photos of anything and everything so not to draw attention to ourselves. High point is a little debatable but I liked the rock outside St Margaret’s Chapel though I felt a little silly standing there for the obligatory photo. Views from the castle are wonderful and it’s such a good location with a history that stretches back through the mists of time.

We thought our ruse of acting like tourists had been rumbled when a loud bang nearly gave me a heart attack. A quick scan of the map we had been given informed us it was just the one o’clock gun firing and they do it every day. Relieved we headed further inside and went to look for the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. The security was tight and my belly was starting to rumble so we left empty handed and made for the cafe. Turns out we weren’t the only folk looking to get their hands on plenty of loot, nice food though despite the price.

With happy belly again and all batteries walked we made our way out. I sadly resisted the urge to sit on a cannon for a photo as the oldest person doing so looked about 5 years old and I didn’t want to draw attention to myself (bit rubbish getting old, I should care less what people think but I like to stay hidden in life).

Yes it’s a bit of a dear do to enter and nothing megalithic to look but there’s a wonderful sense of a continuing history to the place as you walk around. It’s well worth a visit.

Edinburgh Castle

C
CARL Nov 18, 2010

Like anyone who has visited the wonderful Edingburugh Castle you can’t help but think that this would make an ideal spot for a defended enclosure. It reminds me very much of the rocky outcrop that Dumbarton Castle is built on.

Sites within 20km of Edinburgh Castle

Like all websites everywhere, we use cookies.