Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the City's most famous landmark. It stands on Castle Rock the remaining core of an extinct volcano, and has dominated the Edinburgh skyline for over 800 years, although during its long history the building has undergone many changes.
The oldest part of the present day Castle is St Margaret's Chapel, built in the early 12th century. The Half Moon Battery for artillery, a distinctive feature of the castle today was built in 1574.
The Great Hall was built by James IV in the early 16th century. It was used for meetings of the Scottish Parliament prior to the completion of nearby Parliament House in 1640. The Great Hall, like its successor, boasts an impressive hammerbeam roof.
The Gatehouse was built in 1888 to provide a more dramatic entrance to Edinburgh Castle. It replaced a simpler 17th century structure. Either side of the gateway are bronze statues, one of Sir William Wallace, and one of King Robert the Bruce.
The Scottish National War Memorial is located in Edinburgh Castle. It was originally created as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914-18 and now also commemorates those who fell in the Second World War and subsequent conflicts.
A popular feature of the Castle is Mons Meg a large siege gun presented to James II by Philip, Duke of Burgundy in 1457. It is one of a pair constructed in Mons in present day Belgium. The gun's sheer size limited its mobility and therefore its military utility.
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