"Edinburgh Castle from Portsburgh", by Kim Traynor, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Edinburgh Castle is a 12th-century enigmatic castle that sits atop a rock that was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption that occurred many years ago. This castle was built as a royal residency and later used as a military base. Many tragic events had taken place here in its 900 years of history. Today Edinburgh castle is regarded as the most haunted place in Scotland.
A Brief History of Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle was built in A.D 1103 for the purpose to be used as a royal residency but later it was used as a military base. Between 1296 and 1341, the fort was captured twice by the English invaders but was recaptured by the Scots. The 100-foot (30 m) tall David's tower was built in honor of King David II, who died at the castle in 1371. Eventually, the tower was significantly destroyed in a siege 200 years later. In 1457, a huge cannon called Mons Meg was built, which can still be seen. The Great Hall, which can also be seen today was completed in 1511 by James IV and a building adjacent to The Royal Palace was the birthplace of King James VI of nearby England in 1566. After the devastating siege of 1571, the defense of the fort was strengthened with the construction of the Half Moon Battery and the Portcallis Gate. Charles I of England was the last monarch who lived in Edinburgh Castle in 1633.
Edinburgh Castle was also used as a military base and the prisoners of wars mainly in the Seven Years War were bought here and like the Tower of London prisoners bought here were tortured. Prisoners captured in the American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars were also housed in this castle.
Through in the mid-1800s, the castle started the decline of its usage as a military base some of its parts are still in use. Today Edinburgh castle is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Scotland with more than one million annual visitors. Edinburgh castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
Spooky Legends of the Edinburgh Castle
Image by Eduardo vieira, from Pixabay |
Edinburgh Castle is considered the most haunted place in Scotland. Edinburgh castle has centuries of bloody history like the Tower of London and many tragic events took place there is considered as the reason for the castle to become haunted.
The most famous legend surrounding Edinburg castle is of a young piper who disappeared here hundreds of years ago without a trace. It is said that his ghost roams around this castle and many tourists who visited this castle claimed to hear the sound of a piper.
Not only piper but the story of a headless drummer boy is also famous. it is said that the ghost of a drummer without head can be seen in the dungeons of this castle.
As well as the sightings of misty figures and a sudden drop in the temperature can also be experienced here.
Some people also claimed to see the ghosts of french prisoners of the seven years war wandering here.
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