Edinburgh Castle

     

 Photo of Edinburgh castle


Where is it situated?

Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock, which has been inhabited by humans since at least the Iron Age, or at least since the reign of Malcolm III. In the 11th century a royal castle was built on the rock, which served as a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century onwards the castle's residential function declined, and in the 17th century it was used primarily as a military garrison. Its importance as part of Scotland's national heritage was increasingly recognised from the early 19th century, and various restoration programmes have been undertaken over the past century and a half.


Why is it called haunted?

There are many castles in Scotland, but none more haunted than Edinburgh Castle. Built in the 12th century, the castle has a long and turbulent history, including being the site of numerous battles and political unrest. The castle is said to still be haunted by the ghosts of soldiers and prisoners of war. Local residents believe that Bloody Mackenzie's ghost  haunts the cemetery because his grave was vandalized by a homeless man who broke into the cemetery at night. As soon as he placed his hands on Bloody Mackenzie's grave, the ground beneath him opened up  and he fell into a shallow grave full of plague victims.

One of Edinburgh Castle's most famous ghosts  is the Piper. Legend has it that a bagpiper was sent to explore the tunnels under the castle, but was never seen again. Visitors have reported hearing the sound of a single bagpipe coming from the tunnels, despite there having been no bagpiper there for centuries.

Why is it popular?

It has become popular because of it being called haunted. The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is Scotland's most visited paid tourist attraction (the second most in the UK), with over 2.2 million visitors in 2019, and over 70 per cent of Edinburgh's leisure visitors visiting the castle. As the backdrop for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which takes place during the annual Edinburgh Festival, the castle has become a recognisable symbol of Edinburgh in particular, and Scotland as a whole.