Key Information
Edinburgh Castle
| Type | Castle and Fortress |
| Construction | Before 1093 CE |
| Builder | Unknown, Regent Morton rebuilt much in the 16th century |
| Built From | Stone |
Learning Point
- Edinburgh Castle, an iconic fortress towering over Scotland’s capital on an ancient volcanic plug, is a site steeped in over a millennium of dramatic history. Once a royal residence and military stronghold, it has witnessed countless sieges, celebrated coronations like that of Mary Queen of Scots’ son, James VI, and famously houses the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) and the Stone of Scone. Today, this imposing landmark serves as a major tourist attraction and military base, offering a tangible link to Scotland’s turbulent past, from its role in the Scottish Wars of Independence to the daily firing of the One O’Clock Gun, a tradition for ships in the Firth of Forth.
Project
- Draw a picture of Edinburgh Castle as you imagine it in the past.
- Overview
- Plan
Location
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Fun Facts
- Edinburgh Castle sits high up on an ancient, extinct volcano called Castle Rock!
- Every day (except Sunday), a giant gun is fired from the castle at exactly 1 o’clock. It used to help ships in the nearby Firth of Forth set their clocks!
- One famous Scottish queen, Mary Queen of Scots, even gave birth to her son, James VI, inside Edinburgh Castle!
- Because of its super strong position, Edinburgh Castle has been attacked and defended more times than almost any other castle in Scotland – it’s seen a lot of history!
Past Lessons
| 171 | May 22, 2025 | (North America) |