Edinburgh Historical Information
Introduction
Photo: The Forth Railway Bridge
Edinburgh, Scotland's second largest city and its capital, lies on the south bank of the Firth of Forth.
Although now famous the world over as a leader in the arts and sciences and the hub of Scotland's thriving financial
industry, Edinburgh hasn't always held so prominent a place in Scottish life. The crag on which Edinburgh Castle
stands has been inhabited for thousands of years. Around the time of the Romans, the Celtic tribe Gododdin settled
Castle Rock. They called it 'Dunedin' meaning 'fortress of the hill slope' and this is where the name Edinburgh is
thought to originate. Later, about 450AD, the Picts also made use of the rock for a stronghold. Until the middle of the
10th Century, the area around Edinburgh was occupied by the Northumbrians.
Photo: The Forth Railway Bridge
Then, in the second half of the 11th Century,
King Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore) created a hunting lodge on the rock and his Queen, Margaret, built a chapel there.
St Margaret's chapel still stands within the castle and is the oldest building in Edinburgh. It is still in use, and
members of the Castle's garrison are allowed to be married there. Margaret died in the hunting lodge shortly after Malcolm's
death in 1093 and the King's brother, in a dispute over the succession, besieged the couple's three sons there.
Edinburgh History, page 1
Edinburgh History, page 2
Edinburgh History, page 3
Edinburgh History, page 4
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