| Edinburgh Castle - Laich Hall (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Edinburgh Castle - Laich Hall
Photographer Description of Edinburgh Castle - Laich Hall
Panorama taken of the Laich Hall in the Royal Palace at Edinburgh Castle. This picture shows the room after restoration works carried out by Historic Scotland since 1997.Edinburgh Castle - Laich Hall - Further Information
The Laich Hall occupies part of the ground floor of the Royal Palace in Edinburgh Castle. Entrance to this and the Birthing Room is next to the exit from the Crown Room on the east side of Crown Square. Laich means 'low' and the hall is so named for being below the chambers of King James I which used to occupy the first floor of the palace.King James was the last King of Scotland and, after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, became King James I of England. He was the last monarch to use the castle and revisited it for the last time in 1617 on the 50th anniversary of his coronation as King of Scotland. This was accompanied by great celebration and firing of Mons Meg Gun. Thereafter the palace was taken over by the castle garrison and the rooms put to other uses with much of the decorations and furnishings removed.
In 1997 Historic Scotland, who manage Edinburgh Castle, undertook studies and then renovation works to restore Laich Hall to its former glory, with the wooden paneling, painted wall decorations and elaborate ceiling shown in this panoramic picture. Today Laich Hall is used for government functions. At other times it is open to the public as part of the castle tour.
Address:
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG
Travel Directions and Getting There:
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 [[4324,Waverley Station]] and the [[4325,Tourist Information Centre]].
