Edinburgh Castle, towering atop Castle Rock, has served Scotland for centuries, at one time or another acting as a fortress, royal residence, seat of government, armoury, and prison. The scene of countless sieges, royal births and deaths, murderous intrigues, and military displays, Edinburgh castle has long been a symbol of Scottish history and national pride. Today, the castle is open to the public who can see such sights as the Stone of Scone, the Scottish royal regalia known as the Honours, the National War Museum, the National War Memorial, and such famous giant medieval cannons as Mons Megs. The most popular tourist attraction in Scotland, the castle, together with the city of Edinburgh, is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
More about: Edinburgh CastleDefinition
Timeline
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900 BCECastle Rock in Edinburgh is artifically flattened.
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c. 100 CEA hiltop fort is built on Castle Rock, Edinburgh.
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c. 600 CEFirst literary reference to Edinburgh Castle.
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16 Nov 1093 CEQueen Margaret (Saint Margaret of Scotland) dies in Edinburgh Castle.
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c. 1130 CESaint Margaret's chapel is built at Edinburgh Castle.
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1174 CE - 1186 CEAn English garrison controls Edinburgh Castle.
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1296 CEEdward I of England captures Edinburgh Castle.
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1314 CEThomas Randolph, Earl of Moray takes control of Edinburgh Castle for Scotland.
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1314 CERobert the Bruce demolishes Edinburgh Castle.
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1335 CEAn English force captures the ruins of Edinburgh Castle.
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1341 CESir William Douglas leads a force which captures Edinburgh Castle for Scotland.
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22 Feb 1371 CEDavid II of Scotland dies in Edinburgh Castle.
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c. 1375 CEDavid's Tower is completed at Edinburgh Castle, a project begun by David II of Scotland.
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1440 CEThe 'Black Dinner' in Edinburgh Castle when James II of Scotland invited the young Douglas earls to dinner and had them executed.
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Jul 1482 CEJames III of Scotland is imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle by disaffected nobles led by his own brother Alexander. The king is later released.
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c. 1510 CEJames IV of Scotland adds a new Great Hall to Edinburgh Castle.
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11 Jun 1560 CEMary of Guise dies at Edinburgh Castle.
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19 Jun 1566 CEJames Stuart, son of Mary, Queen of Scots and future King James VI of Scotland and James I of England, is born in Edinburgh Castle.
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1573 CEAn English army captures Edinburgh Castle after a four-day siege.
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c. 1574 CEThe Half Moon Battery is added to Edinburgh Castle.
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Sep 1650 CE - Dec 1650 CEOliver Cromwell besieges and captures Edinburgh Castle.
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1742 CEThe Governor’s House is built at Edinburgh Castle.
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1799 CEThe New Barracks are built at Edinburgh Castle.
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1818 CEThe Scottish royal reglia is discovered at Edinburgh Castle by Sir Walter Scot.
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1829 CEThe Mons Meg cannon is returned to Edinburgh Castle.
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1842 CEA military prison is built at Edinburgh Castle.
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1887 CEThe Argyle Tower is added to Edinburgh Castle.
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1888 CEA new main gatehouse is added to Edinburgh Castle.
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1927 CEThe Scottish National War Memorial is built at Edinburgh Castle.
