Entrance Gates
Edinburgh Castle has been
destroyed and rebuilt a number of times since its construction as a hunting lodge by
Malcolm III in the eleventh century. Little now remains from this period, the oldest
surviving part of the castle being St Margaret's Chapel, dating from the twelfth century.
The first major structural changes to the castle were made in 1313, when the Scots
finally recaptured the castle from the English. In order to prevent their old enemy
from ever being able to use it as a defence, the king ordered that it be dismantled.
It was rebuilt half a century later under the orders of David II. From this
time it developed into the city's major asset, playing the role of royal palace as
well as central focus of military defense. It saw its last true military action
during Bonnie Prince Charlie's brief residence in 1745. After this, its role as a
fortification declined. |