Panorama taken part way up Lang Stairs at Edinburgh Castle. The picture shows part of the Castle Gate and first parts of the Middle Ward.

Edinburgh Castle - Lang Stairs - Edinburgh visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Edinburgh Castle - Lang Stairs' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Lothian.

Lang Stairs in Edinburgh Castle lead up from the panoramic viewpoint next to the Argyle Battery in the Middle Ward to the Forewall Battery in the Upper Ward. The stairs pass the entrance to Argyle Tower, which contains an exhibition, and the Dog Cemetery. From the steps is a limited view over the northwest of Edinburgh.

The stairs are named after the Lang Seige, which took place between 1571 and 1572 when Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange, the keeper of the castle, changed sides, rebelling against the King James VI in support of Queen Mary. The first siege lasted through May 1571, with a second following in October. During this time Grange reinforced the castle, and the King's party appealed to Elizabeth I of England for aid. Ambassadors were sent and a truce agreed in 1572, Edinburgh surrendered and Grange confined to the castle.

However, in January 1573 Grange initiated further hostilities and began bombarding the town. The castle had 40 canon, but only 7 gunners and was low on powder and ammunition. The King's men dug trenches around the castle in preparations for another siege and poised St Margaret's Well, thereby causing severe water problems for the castle occupants.

In April a force of 1000 English troops arrive followed by 27 cannon (including one cast at Edinburgh Castle). A battery was built and bombardment of the castle began in 17 May and in a 12 day period over 3000 shots battered the castle causing the partial collapse of David's Tower and Constable's Tower. The debris blocked the castle entrance and Fore Well. Eventually the castle surrendered and Grange was hanged at mercat cross on 3 August.

Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG

Bus: 24 to Lawnmarket.
Walk: Edinburgh Castle is at the western end of the Royal Mile, which leads down east to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. This is about 15 minutes walk from Waverley Station and the Tourist Information Centre.