Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Edinburgh Castle dominates the city of Edinburgh like no other castle in Scotland, and Edinburgh Castle is unequalled in the whole of the British Isles. Over one thousand years of history sit on top of the famous Edinburgh rock.

Situated above the centre of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh Castle has watched over the history of Scotland for almost 1400 years. Today it offers a wide range of superb attractions for the visitor to explore. Edinburgh Castle sits on top of what was, at one time, a volcano, a 437feet high plug of basalt rock.

Castle Rock, dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh, and is Scotland's most famous (and most visited) landmark. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC. As it stands today though, few of the castle's structures pre-date the 16th century. Edinburgh Castle has played a central role in the history of Scotland. Its site, on a rock rising 300 feet above the city, has been fought over more than 2,000 years. Edinburgh's have been repeatedly battered, razed and restores. Most of the present castle dates from the sixteenth century and after. In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James I (VI of Scotland) within the castle. Edinburgh Castle is also the home of the One O'clock Gun. This is fired every day except Sunday at precisely 1.00pm to provide everyone with an accurate check for their clocks and watches. It will certainly startle you if you are anywhere near the Castle at that moment!

The first record of the castle being used as a royal residence occurs in the 11th century when Margaret, wife of Malcolm 3 died there after hearing of her husband's death at Alnwick in 1093. "Saint Margaret" (she was later canonised) was Saxon-English, a refugee from the conquest of England by the Normans under Repaired and strengthened, the Castle became an even more formidable fortress, resisting assaults by the early Covenanters in 1640, holding out for James II in 1688-89 and for George II in 1745. The unsuccessful attempt by Bonnie Prince Charlie's forces to capture it was the final assault in the Castles long history. Edinburgh Castle is a defensive structure that has evolved continuously to meet the military needs of the times. It has been attacked thirteen times over the centuries. It is an active military base even today and one of the biggest tourist attractions in Britain.

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