Edinburgh Castle uncovered: Exploring the ruins of David's Tower

Published on Friday 4 February 2011 14:04

Perched on the jagged remnants of an extinct volcano and lambasted to the point of destruction many a time since its establishment in the 12th century Edinburgh Castle is a geographical and architectural marvel.

To get an appreciation of the ingenuity behind its construction and an understanding of how it has evolved into the unique collection of buildings that exist today you have to go deep down into the bowels of castle.

Standing underground outside the ruined David's Tower with the roof of the Half Moon Battery overhead and the granite volcanic rock

beneath your feet gives you an appreciation of how the castle has grown and developed.

It is built on a myriad of layers and vaults which have made it possible to build such a complex structure on what is an inhospitable terrain.

David Tower is not visible from the outside of the castle.

Following the Lang Siege in 1573 it was destroyed and the defensive Half Moon Battery built on top of its ruins.

It remained buried for 400 years until it was rediscovered in 1912.

The Tower has had a colourful history since it was built as a royal residence in the 1370s.

The ten-story building was revolutionary at the time it was built and provided a model for a successful form of accommodation and fortification well into the 16th century.

It hosted the Black Dinner where two young members of the Douglas clan were beheaded in front of the the young King James II and it was also where the crown jewels were hidden in case of a Nazi invasion during WW2.

Research by Historic Scotland has also uncovered evidence that a vault in the tower - below the King's residence - was used as a state prison for important prisoners who enjoyed relatively comfortable conditions.

Despite being rediscovered close to 100 years research into how David's Tower functioned on a daily basis is still ongoing.

Peter Yeoman, an archaeologist with Historic Scotland , said:

"We are still unsure of how the basement of David's Tower worked.

"This was the service level and must have been linked to the royal apartments.

"Research into this is going on now.

"It is one of the principle buildings from the early days of the castle"