Edinburgh History: Edinburgh Castle & Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh Castle & Edinburgh Castle History

Of Scotland's many castles, Edinburgh Castle stands out as one of the most dramatic Scottish Castles and one of the most visited Scottish tourist sites. Stragegically situated on Castle Rock (an old volcano worn down by glaciers) which pushes up above Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle has dominated the city's landscape since the 11th century.

Both the Scots and English have seized control of Edinburgh Castle through the centuries, and it has alternated between royal palace and military fortress. The oldest remaining part is St Margaret's Chapel dating from the 12th century, whilst the striking Great Hall built by James IV dates from about 1510. Two particular highlights within Edinburgh Castle include the unique National War Museum and Scotland's Crown Jewels (Honours of Scotland), the oldest Crown Jewels in Europe dating from 1540 with the Crown made from Robert the Bruce's coronet, plus the Stone of Destiny. The famous huge Mons Meg 15th century gun is situated beside the chapel, and move to the southeast section of Crown Square to view Mary Queen of Scot's apartments which date from 1430. James VI, later James I of England, was born here actually in a first floor room. The apartments were refurbished in 1617 to make ready for a final royal visit from James. No royal has stayed there since.

The Great Hall or Old Parliament Hall to the south of Crown Square is a huge 15th century banqueting hall originally built for James IV. It later played host to the Scottish Parliament up until 1639. Underneath the Great Hall sits Edinburgh Castle's vaults which have served both as storage space and prison. Around the castle the Esplanade parade ground dates from the 18th century and is the site for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Also on the Esplanade is the Witches' Well put up in 1894 to mark the spot where 300 women perished after being accused of witchcraft. They faced grusome deaths, being burnt alive from 1479 to 1722.

Edinburgh Castle, Castle Hill, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH1 2NG, Scotland. Tel. 44 (131) 2259846. (see Historic Scotland's Edinburgh Castle weblink right for details on opening times and planning your visit). Conveniently a courtesy vehicle runs regularly upto the Castle assisting visitors with disability or mobility issues, and access is good on-site with ramps and lifts to the Stone of Destiny, Crown Jewels and exhibitions.

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Holyrood Palace Edinburgh

Holyrood Palace (with adjacent Holyrood Abbey ruins) at the end of the Royal Mile and Canongate is the official residence of the Royal family in Scotland, but it's Mary Queen of Scots and her time spent here at Holyrood Palace that steals the limelight somewhat. Edinburgh's Palace is dominated by adjacent natural wonder Arthur's Seat which like Castle Rock is well worth the 825 feet climb for the views of Edinburgh and the coast beyond. Holyrood is a notable historic site particularly pertaining to Royalty. It's the birthplace of James II who was also married and is buried here.

Holyrood's architectural style is fairytale baroque and Mary Queen of Scots lived here during her reign. Married twice here in Holyrood Abbey, Mary saw some turbulent times at Holyrood witnessing the killing of her Secretary Rizzio by Lord Darnley her jealous husband (Rizzio was a lover). Other shorter residents here have included Bonnie Prince Charlie during the uprisings around 1745. Today the Queen and others from the Royal family are in residence, particularly around June time for official ceremonies and wot not.

As well as viewing the Royal Apartments which hold Brussels tapestries and portraits you can also visit the Queen's Gallery (see Holyrood weblink right for details) which has constantly changing exhibitions and you can tour the Holyrood Abbey ruins where Mary Queen of Scots was married twice.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX. For tickets and information contact Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Ticket Sales and Information Office, The Official Residences of The Queen, London SW1A 1AA. Tel. (44) (0)131 556 5100. (Holyrood Palace weblink right for details and visitor facilities/opening hours). A cafe is on-site plus workshops for children run regularly.

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Mary Queen of Scots Biography

Born on the 8 December 1542 at Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian Mary was crowned Queen of Scots at the tender age of six days! Her life was turbulent to say the least, caught as she was inbetween Scottish and English tensions. She married the Dauphin Francis and became Queen of France (as well as Scotland) in 1558. The Dauphin died in 1560, at which point she returned to Scotland initially to a warm welcome.

Then followed two husbands, one of whom Darnley was used as a pawn for her destruction, which saw her finally ending up imprisoned in England for 19 years, then executed by Elizabeth I on advice that her continuing existance meant hope for a Catholic following and a Catholic Queen. Mary Queen of Scots was executed at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire on 8th February 1587 - she was 44 years old.

Buried initially at Peterborough Cathedral, her remains were exhumed by Mary's son James VI and buried at Westerminster Abbey. (see Mary Queen of Scots biography weblink right for more details).

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