Half Moon Battery, Edinburgh Castle

Category

Library Item

Item no

2077

Title

Half Moon Battery, Edinburgh Castle, twenty one gun salute

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1966

Size

15.6 x 19.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Half Moon Battery was built in 1574 by the Regent Morton on the remains of David's Tower which was demolished by the siege of Edinburgh Castle in 1571-73. Built as an artillery platform, the semicircular shape gave the guns a wider range of fire than previous structures.

Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the city's most famous landmark. It stands on top of the remaining core of an extinct volcano. Excavations suggest the site was inhabited by Bronze Age man as early as 900 BC, and was fortified by Iron Age man roughly 2000 years ago. The oldest part of the present day Castle is St Margaret's Chapel, built in the early 12th century. The Castle holds the Honours of Scotland and more recently has welcomed back the Stone of Scone otherwise known as the Stone of Destiny.

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Architecture > Architectural features > Batteries

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

People > Adults > Crowds

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Children > Boys

People > Children > Girls

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Toys > Weapon and military toys > Guns