Edinburgh Castle is Besieged this weekend!

4 October 2012

               

This weekend at Edinburgh Castle be prepared for the sounds of muskets and cannons as the castle travels back in time to the year 1640.

On Saturday 6th October 2012 and Sunday 7th October 2012, visitors will travel back to when the Castle was besieged by the covenanters for seven months.

The garrison surrendered in September 1640 after they ran out of food and water but not before they had killed over 200 of Edinburgh’s citizens during their bombardment of the city.

The event takes place from 12:00 until 4:00 pm.  

Meet the Scottish Soldiers of the mid 17th century, see the musketry, pike and cannon displays and find out about the Story of the Scottish Revolution in the magnificent surroundings of the Great Hall.

Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle said: “This is a really popular event and brings history to life with the colour, sounds and atmosphere of the time.

“Cover your ears for the massive thunder of cannon fire, find out about muskets, bandoliers and bullets and enjoy the spectacle of the closing display and parade in Crown Square.”

Admission free to Historic Scotland members.

Notes for editors

1.Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with ensuring that our historic environment provides a strong foundation for a successful future for Scotland. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.

2.To register for media release email alerts from www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news. If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email hs.website@scotland.gsi.gov.uk   

3.The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and will spotlight and celebrate Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative

4.The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL. More information and resources to help businesses engage with Year of Creative Scotland are available at  www.visitscotland.org/yearofcreativescotland-toolkit