Friday, April 5, 2013

E is for Edinburgh Castle



Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

E = Edinburgh Castle



The ancient Edinburgh Castle is located on the top of an old volcanic mountain in Scotland. It dominates the skyline with its stone walls, and buildings. It might have been used as far back as 900 BC--the late bronze age. During the Middle Ages it served the seat of royalty, but became the center for military activity, and has seen many wars. If you're visiting the castle after lunch, bring earplugs because the one o' clock gun still fires every day. But enough about the facts. 

The castle's legends is what intrigues me. *key spooky music now*

The 'Stone of Destiny,' or 'Stone of Scone' is a traditional coronation stone. It's an oblong block of red sandstone, and was kept at the castle with the crown jewels of Scotland. Legend says that the real stone was swapped out with a fake stone. So, who took the stone, and where is it today?

The castle is called one of the most haunted places in Scotland. The Lone Piper is just one ghost that has become a superstar. A few hundred years ago (which is not that long ago, seeing how old the castle is) secret tunnels were discovered in the castle that led to the city. The piper boy had to play his pipes in the tunnels, and above ground they would listen, and chart it. One day his music stopped, and he was never seen again, but some people can still hear him playing his pipes in the tunnels. Will you hear him?

Other ghosts include: A headless drummer, French prisoners from the Seven Year War, Colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War, and a dog wandering in the grounds' dog cemetery. 

Reported experiences include: sudden drops in temperature, seeing shadow figures, feelings of being watched, and tugging of clothes.

Is the castle really haunted, or is it an assumption because of its long history, and all its conflicts. Be brave, and enter at your own risk.

Spooky Factor: 5
Intrigue Factor: 5
Beauty Factor: 5


Biblio and picture source: Wiki, Picture, teatime-mag, about.

10 comments:

Kate said...

Wow! That castle is just FULL of inspiration. I could write a whole book set there (and now I might have to).

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I don't think I would want to tour the tunnels and maybe see the headless drummer. Sound like a fascinating old castle. Thanks for sharing its story!

Mary Montague Sikes

D.G. Hudson said...

One day I have to visit Edinburgh Castle (I should since I have Scottish heritage on both side of my family and our family)

I like learning about new places I haven't seen. Good choice!

Nana Prah said...

Cool. It's a beautiful building. I'd probably skip the interior tour. Not to fond of ghosts lurking around me.

Nana Prah said...

Cool. The place looks beautiful. I'd probably skip the interior tour though.

Sylvia Ney said...

I would love to visit this place and get a "feel" for it myself. Thanks for sharing.

New follower here. I'm stopping by on the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

Sylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Cool and a bit scary (but I'm a wuss.) I would love to go to Scottland one day. *crosses fingers*

Patricia Lynne

Jagoda said...

Great post. It would be such fun to visit this castle and hang around there at dusk listening for the piper.
Fellow A-Zer, Jagoda at http://www.conflicttango.com

Crystal Collier said...

Awesome. Doesn't that make you want to spend the night there? ;)

Diana said...

spoookaayy castles are so neat