My first visit to Edinburgh was at the end of November in 2005, but I have since been to Edinburgh two additional times. The most recent was with my parents at the beginning of December. My first ever visit in 2005 was only for about three nights, and it was a good visit blessed with nice sunny weather (although chilly) at the end of November. My second visit was only for a night, and it poured with rain on both days. The most recent visit with my parents had mixed weather. It was cold but relatively dry. This post focuses on the castle at Edinburgh, which is a prominent feature of the city and makes an impression on the city's skyline as it sits high on the hill.
These photographs of the castle are a mix from my first and most recent trip to Edinburgh. Visitors to the castle will notice that it is high on a hill, and the only entrance is via the Royal Mile, which goes from the castle to Holyrood House, the palace of the queen in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is the Scottish mile, which is approximately 1.2 miles long.
The castle has a large courtyard in front, and the grounds are entered through the gate.
My visit to Edinburgh Castle was in 2005, so I do not remember a lot of it. I do not have many photographs of the interior of the castle, which means that we would not have been allowed to take photographs. I would have gone to the Great Hall, chapel, and other buildings on the tour, but I do not remember them at all. I do have a slight memory of visiting the military museum on site. What I do remember the most, however, is the views. The views are beautiful, particularly over the New Town.
A lake used to be here, where the New Town is and where the Princes Gardens today are. Below are photographs from the castle in 2005. The view would have had some changes.
Edinburgh Castle site was occupied at least since the Iron Age. The castle itself dates to the 12th century, and it was used as a residence until the mid-1600s. After this, it was used for military purposes. The castle itself has seen many sieges and has seen the most conflict in Britain.
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