Edinburgh Photo Library
- Edinburgh Castle
The high volcanic rock with precipitous sides has been a stronghold for thousands of years and was the capital of the Votadini, the early inhabitants of the area. It is because of the defensive value of the rock and the succeeding castles built on that Edinburgh became important and eventually the capital of Scotland.
The area around Edinburgh was not captured by King Malcolm II of Scotland until 1018 but it was used as a royal residence by King Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore) later in the 11th century. It was captured more than once by the English during the Wars of Independence.
Edinburgh Castle today is the most popular tourist attraction in Scotland with well over a million visitors a year. It is full of history and is also home to the National War Museum, regimental museums and the National War Memorial.See also History of Edinburgh Castle for more information and illustrations.
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Edinburgh Castle in Winter.
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