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Frommer's Guide
FEATURES AND EVENTS

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Attractions & Activities: Along The Royal Mile Frommer

Edinburgh Castle

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No place in Scotland is filled with as much history, legend, and lore as Edinburgh Castle, one of the highlights of a visit to this little country (see the photo insert at the front of this guide). It's believed the ancient city grew up on the seat of a dead volcano, Castle Rock. The early history is vague, though it's known that in the 11th century Malcolm III (Canmore) and his Saxon queen, later venerated as St. Margaret, founded a castle on this spot. The only fragment left of their castle--in fact, the oldest structure in Edinburgh--is St. Margaret's Chapel, built in the Norman style, the oblong structure dating principally from the 12th century.

You can visit the State Apartments, particularly Queen Mary's Bedroom, where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland (later James I of England). Scottish Parliaments used to convene in the Great Hall. The highlight is the Crown Chamber, housing the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels), used at the coronation of James VI, along with the scepter and sword of state of Scotland. The French Prisons were put to use in the 18th century, and these great storerooms housed hundreds of Napoleonic soldiers in the early 19th century. Many of them made wall carvings you can see today. Among the batteries of cannons that protected the castle is Mons Meg, a 15th-century cannon weighing more than 5 tons.

Castlehill, at the western end of the Royal Mile Phone: 0131/225-9846 . Open: Apr-Sept daily 9:30am-5:15pm; Oct-Mar daily 9:30am-4:15pm. Admission £6.50 adults, £2 age 15 and under.

Attractions and Activities:
Edinburgh Castle Outlook Tower and Camera Obscura
Gladstone's Land Palace of Holyroodhouse
High Kirk of St. Giles Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
Huntly House The People's Story
John Knox House Writers' Museum
Museum of Childhood  
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