Spider-Man won’t conquer Edinburgh Castle

French “Spider-Man” Alain Robert is fighting the urge to climb Edinburgh Castle out of respect for the city’s heritage.

The 50-year-old, who has climbed most of the tallest buildings in the world without safety equipment, was at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena last night to give a talk on his death-defying feats, and how he has recovered from serious injuries that led doctors to tell him he would never climb again.

He said: “None of the newer buildings in the city are really high enough for me to want to climb, but the Castle and the way up to it certainly looks interesting. But to climb that would be a bad idea.

“It’s a monument and people take those things seriously. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble. Plus I have commitments to give talks in other cities and I can’t afford to be arrested right now.”