Half-Moon Battery View I
Looking out from Edinburgh Castle's Half-Moon Battery over the city, with Calton Hill on the left and the spire of the Hub on the right.
For all outward appearances still a church, the giant spire at the top of the Royal Mile is now home to the Hub – the organisational centre of the Edinburgh International Festival.
The black neo-Gothic spire was originally erected in 1845 as the pinnacle of an Assembly Hall for the Church of Scotland, but in 1999 it became the festival headquarters.
The architecture of the building was the result of collaboration between Augustus Pugin and J Gillespie Graham and the spire is still the highest building in the centre of Edinburgh.
The city’s most famous attraction, Edinburgh Castle perches high on a crag of volcanic rock, overlooking the lands it has dominated for centuries.
The castle has been home to the Scottish or British Royal Family for hundreds of years. It was here that in 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI (James I of England) and Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted to revive an independent nation with a failed siege in 1745 (the last time it saw military action).
The castle has long served as a military outpost (and still houses a garrison), repelling – or occasionally succumbing – to sieges by the English during hundreds of years on conflict – and as a home for royals, and is where the Scottish Crown Jewels are kept to this day.
As well as the jewels, there is a church, a national war memorial and several museums within the grounds, which can be visited – for a hefty price – by anyone wanting to take a peak behind the formidable walls. St Margaret’s Chapel is said to be the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, constructed by King David I in the 12th century, while the famous cannon Mons Meg can also be found here.
The views from the battlements stretch out over the city to the Firth of Forth, Midlothian and beyond.
Half-Moon Battery View I
Looking out from Edinburgh Castle's Half-Moon Battery over the city, with Calton Hill on the left and the spire of the Hub on the right.
For all outward appearances still a church, the giant spire at the top of the Royal Mile is now home to the Hub – the organisational centre of the Edinburgh International Festival.
The black neo-Gothic spire was originally erected in 1845 as the pinnacle of an Assembly Hall for the Church of Scotland, but in 1999 it became the festival headquarters.
The architecture of the building was the result of collaboration between Augustus Pugin and J Gillespie Graham and the spire is still the highest building in the centre of Edinburgh.
The city’s most famous attraction, Edinburgh Castle perches high on a crag of volcanic rock, overlooking the lands it has dominated for centuries.
The castle has been home to the Scottish or British Royal Family for hundreds of years. It was here that in 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI (James I of England) and Bonnie Prince Charlie attempted to revive an independent nation with a failed siege in 1745 (the last time it saw military action).
The castle has long served as a military outpost (and still houses a garrison), repelling – or occasionally succumbing – to sieges by the English during hundreds of years on conflict – and as a home for royals, and is where the Scottish Crown Jewels are kept to this day.
As well as the jewels, there is a church, a national war memorial and several museums within the grounds, which can be visited – for a hefty price – by anyone wanting to take a peak behind the formidable walls. St Margaret’s Chapel is said to be the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, constructed by King David I in the 12th century, while the famous cannon Mons Meg can also be found here.
The views from the battlements stretch out over the city to the Firth of Forth, Midlothian and beyond.