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Ever heard of Mary Queen of Scots? Of course you have. Her friend David Rizzio was murdered by nobles in Holyrood House (Edinburgh) when she was in residence, in an attempt to intimidate her. She fled to Craigmillar Castle after the murder and it's said that the plot to murder her husband (Lord Darnley), perhaps involving her, was hatched there.
2.5 miles South-East of Edinburgh on the A68 (that's a road).
Telephone number: 0131 661 4445
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A fascinating castle which provides evidence of the strong cultural connections between Scotland and Europe, particularly Italy (e.g. an architectural feature inspired by that country's designs), in the Middle Ages. Learn more when you visit.
2.5 miles South-South West of Pathhead off the A68 (again, that's a road).
Telephone number: 01875 320017
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A 12th century castle, featuring often in Scottish history, with 16th century gardens. The nearby pub is also worth visiting.
In Dirleton Village 2 miles West of North Berwick off the A198 (a road).
Telephone number: 01620 850330
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Yes, it's in Edinburgh but Edinburgh's in Lothian. It's also an incredibly popular tourist site. Never mind, it's still well worth visiting. The castle area, as far as historians know, was the original area of human settlement in Edinburgh. Now surrounded by the modern city, and towering high above it, the castle rock is of volcanic origin. The first mention of a fortress on the rock (Din Eidyn) occurs at the end of the 6th century A.D., though the oldest surviving building is St. Margaret's chapel, built in the early 12th century. It's likely that a human settlement existed long before the 6th century but the little evidence we have cannot confirm this. Over the centuries since then the castle has been much expanded and altered. Today the 'Honours of Scotland' (The Scottish Crown Jewels) are on display in the castle. They consist of the sceptre, presented to James IV, probably in 1494 by Pope Alexander VI (and remodelled in 1536 for James V), the ceremonial sword presented to James IV by the Pope Julius II in 1507 and the crown, made for James V in 1540 (from the gold of the previous crown with more gold and gemstones added).
The photo above shows a replica of an 18 pounder gun from the early nineteenth century situated on the half-moon battery which guards the castle's eastern front. Through the gun port, far below, can be seen the dark shape of the Scott monument which was built in the 19th century to commemorate the writer Sir Walter Scott. During its long history the castle has been besieged many times. The last occasion took place during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46. The castle is at the top of the 'Royal Mile', the street at the heart of the 'Old Town' and which runs down past St. Giles Cathedral and the Tron until finally reaching Holyrood Palace.
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A fascinating site, unfortunately burnt by government troops after the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, the major structure is still there to be seen.
In Linlithgow off the M9 (a road...motorway).
Telephone number: 01506 842896
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1 Mile South-East of Cockenzie off the A198 (a road).
Telephone number: 01875 813334
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Eastwards along the coast from Edinburgh, near North Berwick, is the impressive Tantallon Castle, once a stronghold of the 'Red' Douglases. Who were they? Well, they weren't the 'Black' Douglases. I'll explain later.
The picture above gives an indication of what defence met attackers from the landward side of the castle. On the other side of the curtain wall is the sea and to attack from that side would mean climbing sheer cliffs. It may not be impossible but it never happened. A finger of land jutted out into the sea and the castle builders built a wall across the landward side of the finger, using nature as a major defence ally.
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If attackers had made it inside the castle they would have climbed these stairs. They didn't, but I did just so that you could see this picture of what climbing the stairs looked like. I hope you appreciate it because I don't like heights and it's high up there.
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Nowadays the climb ends in this view of the local bay. Very high.
3 miles East of North Berwick off the A198 (a road).
Telephone number: 01620 892727
The historic sites mentioned above are all administered by 'Historic Scotland'. This is an organisation which maintains ancient monuments on behalf of the government. A small admission charge is charged at many of the sites (to help pay for the continuing maintenance). Various types of season ticket are available which make charges even more reasonable, since once purchased you can visit an unlimited number of sites free of charge. These season tickets are available from sites which charge for admission and have a custodian.
© Copyright Len Nicholson, 1996 - 2000