Visit of Edinburgh's CastlesteemCreated with Sketch.

in #castle7 years ago

Since the Castle of Edinburgh was the first thing I visited in Edinburgh two weeks ago, it's kind of fitting that it will be the last thing I will annoy you with about my trip. First of all, yeah, it's massive, showy and the heart of the city itself:

And you won't be too surprised to see that its allure changes completely depending the weather (who forgot to turn the light off in that window up there btw?):

My hostel was right below the entrance of the castle, so no surprise I queued at 09:30am the next day:

                    

The entrance is a grand esplanada, big enough to welcome kings, and big parades of soldiers of course..

... but always under the vigilant eyes of the statues of Robert the Bruce (left) and William Wallace (right):

                                             

Contrary to Craigmillar Castle, the castle of Edinburgh has never ceased to be in use for one moment, since time immemorial like you can see with the St Margaret chapel, built in 1130:

Which is a quaint little cube adorned with fairly cute stainglasses windows:

                                               

                                           

But of course its function has considerably evolved over time. It's no longer the royal residence (the palace of Holyrood is there for that) it used to be until James the First as you can see from the comfortable rooms inside with his coat of arms:

... and it's no longer the jail it was during Napoleonic time to host French, Americans and Spanish prisoners. It's basically a big museum, where you'll be able to see a great view of Edinburgh (if the weather is with you):

But also learn a thing or two about the history of Scotland itself, through a wax museum which will show you the amazing history of the Scottish Honours (the royal emblems which have been kept away from the hands of Cromwell and the English):

Before to be rediscovered by none other than Walter Scott in a secret chamber of the castle:

The castle is also a place of remembrance, for example with the Scottish War Memorial (no photo allowed indoor unfortunately, but it's fairly impressive and humbling):

And it keeps alive a few traditions like the One O'Clock Gun, which I was unfortunately unable to assist:

                               

Speaking of guns, this one is not in use anymore, but it was like the M.O.A.G. in its time (it's the gift from a Duke of Burgundy to the King of Scotland) and its name is Mons Meg.

In spite of its huge girth, it was able to shoot cannonballs as far as 2 miles away! Quite a feat for the time!

Last but not least, a view of the castle from Grassmarket Street:

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I do enjoy a good castle, and Edinburgh looks very fine!

It is! Provided you choose a clear sunny day, it will be a perfect excursion :)

Thanks for posting. It looks like an awesome place. Following and Resteeming. Keep posting good stuff. There are no castles around where I live. So its nice to see!

Thx! Followed back! There seems to be quite a lot of fascinating deserts around your place :) Another perspetive :)

Amazing, thanks for sharing!
Can you believe, I didn't visit it while I was in Edinburgh. Next time huh.

It will still be there waiting for you :)

Nice pictures , was the climb very testing or quite smooth ?

No, it's quite easy. You can access by stairs or by the Royal Mile, a smooth slope.

Thanks , so I should be able to walk easily up that steep looking gate

medieval time century is fascinating ! knights , castles !! but freaking scary if you lived by that times ! plagues , iron maiden tortures yay

I like such ancients places, its have its own mysterical spirit.
For me it is always amazement how people on that ancient time could built all that fantastic without any technologies and any transport. It took a lot of people to work long long time

Great travel blog. Thanks for sharing!

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