A Short Illustrated Guide to Edinburgh Castle

A comprehensive 2,000-word guide fully-illustrated with 15 of the author’s own photographs.

The origins of Edinburgh’s ancient fortress date from 340 million years ago, when the area was formed by volcanic eruption. The heart of the volcano (now long extinct) lay at nearby Arthur’s Seat, which was originally twice its present height. Erosion over many millennia stripped the volcanic rock until, approximately 11,000 years ago, the present landscape was formed when the last ice age ended. (The classic crag-and-tail shape of Edinburgh’s Old Town is a result of glaciers gouging a path around the rock on which the city was built.)

‘A Short Guide to Edinburgh Castle’ covers the complete history of the Castle, from pre-history to first settlement with the Votadini people around AD 550. It also tells how the Castle was built and of the many sieges it underwent in medieval times.

Every aspect of history associated with the Castle is covered, including (with pictures):

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
Sir Robert the Bruce
Sir William Wallace
Argyle Tower
One o’ Clock Gun
Foog’s gate
St. Margaret’s Chapel
Mons Meg
Dog Cemetery
Forewall Gun
Half Moon Battery
Royal Palace
Scottish National War Memorial
Lang Stairs
Witches’ Fountain