40 Facts About Edinburgh Castle

1. Edinburgh Castle became more important as a military base from the late 1500s onwards.

2. Edinburgh Castle has witnessed many of the defining events in Scotland's history.

3. Edinburgh Castle is a popular filming location and appears in the film adaptation of the Irvine Welsh novel Filth, starring James McAvoy.

4. Edinburgh Castle remains the most popular paid visitor attraction in Scotland, with over 1.2 million visitors in 2011.

5. Edinburgh Castle is in the care of Historic Scotland and is Scotland's most-visited paid tourist attraction, with over 1.2 million visitors in 2011.

6. Edinburgh Castle is an historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position on the Castle Rock.

7. Edinburgh Castle has highlighted the city's skyline for 800 years, is a national symbol, and it is Scotland's most popular site to visit.

8. Edinburgh Castle is actually pretty big and has a lot to see.

9. In the 12th century ownership of Edinburgh Castle switched from Scotland to England.

10. Edinburgh Castle is so well-known that it has now become a recognizable symbol of Edinburgh, appearing on on the coat of arms of the City of Edinburgh, certain Scottish bank notes, and even postage stamps.

11. Edinburgh Castle is built on the site of an extinct volcano.

12. Edinburgh Castle is the most popular landmark in Scotland today, with over one million visitors touring the grounds each year.

13. Edinburgh Castle is located at the top of the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

14. Edinburgh Castle was built on the extinct volcano of Castle Rock, which stands hundreds of feet above sea level and contains many rocky ledges and cliffs.

15. Edinburgh Castle is the home of the Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland.

16. Edinburgh Castle is an ancient citadel that serves as one of the most popular attractions of Scotland.

17. Edinburgh Castle is synonymous with impressive choreographed pyrotechnic displays that entertain, and mark some of the most significant events in Scotland such as Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

18. Edinburgh Castle has been under siege more than any other place in Britain.

19. Edinburgh Castle is the most iconic of all Scottish landmarks, with a history that stretches back more than 3,000 years.

20. In 2013, Edinburgh Castle was visited by 1.4 million people.

21. Edinburgh Castle was badly damaged in the siege, and Mary's sympathisers were resoundly—and bloodily—defeated.

22. Edinburgh Castle is the traditional repository of the Honours of Scotland, the country's crown jewels.

23. Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's top tourist sites, attracting more than one million visitors annually.

24. Edinburgh Castle was besieged repeatedly during the 17th and early 18th centuries.

25. Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted spots in Scotland.

26. Edinburgh Castle offers a spectacular view of Edinburgh city and the surrounding area.

27. Edinburgh Castle was used as a prison in the 18th century and early 19th century.

28. Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position on the Castle Rock.

29. Edinburgh Castle became the HQ of the Scottish Home Forces whilst the Forth was a vitally important port and was heavily protected even before the start of the war.

30. Edinburgh Castle is one node in a patchwork of lordships that make up "The Kingdom of the Isles", as historian Andrew McDonald coined it in his book by the same title.

31. Edinburgh Castle has become a recognisable symbol of Edinburgh, and of Scotland.

32. Edinburgh Castle remains the most popular paid visitor attraction in Scotland, with over 1.4 million visitors in 2013.

33. Edinburgh Castle is in the ownership of the Scottish Ministers as heads of the devolved Scottish Government.

34. Edinburgh Castle is located at the top of the Royal Mile, at the west end of Edinburgh's Old Town.

35. Edinburgh Castle was almost taken in the first Jacobite rising in support of James Stuart, the "Old Pretender", in 1715.

36. Edinburgh Castle was taken after a three-month siege, which caused further damage.

37. Edinburgh Castle was handed over to George Douglas of Parkhead, the Regent's brother, and the garrison were allowed to go free.

38. Edinburgh Castle does not re-appear in contemporary historical records from the time of Ptolemy until around AD 600.

39. The name "Maidens' Edinburgh Castle" occurs frequently up until the 16th century.

40. Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock.