Edinburgh Castle

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Image:Edinpain.JPG Edinburgh Castle is an ancient stronghold on the Castle Rock in the centre of the city of Edinburgh, has been in use by assorted military forces since 900 BC and only transferred from Ministry of Defence administration recently. It lies at the top of the Royal Mile, the principal street of the Old Town which leads down to Holyrood Palace. The castle is open to visitors, and is managed by Historic Scotland. It is Scotland's leading paid tourist attraction.

The castle is situated atop The Castle Rock, a volcanic crag. Three sides are protected by sheer cliffs and access to the castle was limited to a steep road on the fourth (eastern) side. Historically there was a loch on the north side of the castle, called the Nor Loch. The loch was drained in the Georgian era when the New Town was constructed, as by this point the castle had lost much of its defensive role and the loch was used as an open sewer. The loch is visible in the painting to the right. Image:One O'Clock Gun.JPG The castle is entered via the Esplanade, which is a long sloping cobbled area between the castle proper and the top of the Royal Mile. The Esplanade is where the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held, and in previous times was a parade and drill area for the castle garrison. On the painting to the right the Esplanade would be at the left of the picture, but has not yet been constructed. From the esplanade the main feature of the castle visible is the cylindrical or drum shaped battery, called the Half Moon Battery, which is visible on the left of the painting. It was built in 1574.

The castle proper is entered through a gatehouse in front of this battery, that leads to a road that ascends while following around to the right of the battery. This road leads through an older portcullis gatehouse and up to the courtyard in the centre of the castle.

The oldest building in the castle, and in Edinburgh, is St. Margaret's Chapel which dates to the start of the 12th century.

The Parish Church of the Castle is the Kirk of the Canongate, where the Governor of the Castle has his own pew.

Although the castle is a tourist attraction, it is still used as one of the main headquarters of the British Army in Scotland; it serves as the Headquarters of the Scottish Division, as well as being the Regimental Headquarters of the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) and 5 Regiment, Royal Military Police.

Image:EdinburghCastle2003.jpg Image:Edinburgh Castle 2005.jpg

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