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Edinburgh Castle, Main Guard
Wall (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Edinburgh Castle, Main Guard
Classification Wall (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 130023
Site Number NT27SE 1.45
NGR NT 251 735
NGR Description NT 2512 7351 to NT 2515 7353
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/130023
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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SC 1503147
Excavation photograph : area F - general view of Main Guard area after removal of topsoil.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503153
Excavation photograph : area F - half sectioned pit/slot, cut through demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503156
Excavation photograph : area F - complete area after removal of 24 and 25, top demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503179
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909904
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909905
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909909
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of brick rubble backed by loose metalling 25 in west end of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909916
Excavation photograph : area F - complete area after removal of 24 and 25, top demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909918
Excavation photograph : area F - slot running E-W cutting 44 in guard chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909935
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909972
Excavation photograph : area F - annexe wall footing exposed.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503141
Excavation photograph : area D and E - trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503172
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1515445
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
SC 1909920
Excavation photograph : area F - bottle in demo rubble in SE corner of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909929
Excavation photograph : area F - W facing half section, through sub layers in E end of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909944
Excavation photograph showing area D at Edinburgh Castle with possible robbing cut through bedrock.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1503144
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503163
Excavation photograph : area F - preserved timber in wall 26, E part of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503167
Excavation photograph : area F - main guard room, N facing section through floor base 44 and make up 59 down onto bedrock, from NW.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503178
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair, from S.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1515444
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909906
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909921
Excavation photograph : area F - N-S linear feature cutting back wall 26 and demo rubble 27.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909928
Excavation photograph : area F - half section, W facing through pit 75, with rubble fill 34.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909931
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of smithing FE deposit with burnt rock face at back.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909942
Excavation photograph showing area F at Edinburgh Castle.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1909969
Excavation photograph : area F - general view of broad foundation - S side cut by trench for ceramic pipe - bedrock incorporated into footing.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503146
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503151
Excavation photograph : area F - section at W end of area, showing demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503152
Excavation photograph : area F - loose unmortared stone rubble in angle between walls 26 and 31.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503158
Excavation photograph : area F - slot running E-W cutting 44 in guard chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503159
Excavation photograph : area F - poorly preserved N part of 31 wall cut by pipe trench 45.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503162
Excavation photograph : area F - N-S linear feature cutting back wall 26 and demo rubble 27.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503164
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of poorly preserved N part of wall 31, cut by pipe trench, demo layer 50 removed.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503165
Excavation photograph : area F - mortar spread sealing black layers 54 and 55 in E annexe area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503168
Excavation photograph : area F - half section, W facing through pit 75, with rubble fill 34.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503171
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of smithing FE deposit with burnt rock face at back.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909902
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909915
Excavation photograph : area F - complete area after removal of 24 and 25, top demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909917
Excavation photograph : area F - general view from above of guard chamber and sub floor.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909934
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909938
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair, from S.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1967750
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
SC 1503145
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503150
Excavation photograph : area F - section at W end of area, showing demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503160
Excavation photograph : area F - bottle in demo rubble in SE corner of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503166
Excavation photograph : area F - main guard room, N facing section through floor base 44 and make up 59 down onto bedrock.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503169
Excavation photograph : area F - W facing half section, through sub layers in E end of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503180
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909907
Excavation photograph : area F - general view of Main Guard area after removal of topsoil.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909908
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of brick rubble sealing likely wall line at E end of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909911
Excavation photograph : area F - section at W end of area, showing demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909914
Excavation photograph : area F - half sectioned pit/slot, cut through demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909919
Excavation photograph : area F - poorly preserved N part of 31 wall cut by pipe trench 45.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909923
Excavation photograph : area F - preserved timber in wall 26, E part of entrance chamber.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909924
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of poorly preserved N part of wall 31, cut by pipe trench, demo layer 50 removed.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909967
Excavation photograph : area F - general view of broad foundation - S side cut by trench for ceramic pipe - bedrock incorporated into footing.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909968
Excavation photograph : area F - general view of broad foundation - S side cut by trench for ceramic pipe - bedrock incorporated into footing.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909971
Excavation photograph : area F - annexe wall footing exposed.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1269666
Edinburgh, general view, showing Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing north.
Records of Aerofilms Ltd, aerial photographers, Bristol, England
21/8/1950
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
SC 1503149
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of brick rubble backed by loose metalling 25 in west end of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503161
Excavation photograph : area F - N-S linear feature cutting back wall 26 and demo rubble 27.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503175
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909910
Excavation photograph : area F - section at W end of area, showing demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909912
Excavation photograph : area F - loose unmortared stone rubble in angle between walls 26 and 31.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909926
Excavation photograph : area F - main guard room, N facing section through floor base 44 and make up 59 down onto bedrock.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909930
Excavation photograph : area F - completely excavated with 59 rubble to E.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909941
Excavation photograph showing area F at Edinburgh Castle - final shots of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1503143
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503155
Excavation photograph : area F - complete area after removal of 24 and 25, top demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503157
Excavation photograph : area F - general view from above of guard chamber and sub floor.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503170
Excavation photograph : area F - completely excavated with 59 rubble to E.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503173
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503174
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909901
Excavation photograph : area D and E - trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909903
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909913
Excavation photograph : area F - half sectioned pit/slot, cut through demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909922
Excavation photograph : area F - N-S linear feature cutting back wall 26 and demo rubble 27.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909925
Excavation photograph : area F - mortar spread sealing black layers 54 and 55 in E annexe area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909927
Excavation photograph : area F - main guard room, N facing section through floor base 44 and make up 59 down onto bedrock, from NW.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909932
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909933
Excavation photograph : area F - completed excavation of main guard from dog's cemetery.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909945
Excavation photograph showing area D at Edinburgh Castle with possible robbing cut through bedrock, from SE.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1909970
Excavation photograph : area F - annexe wall footing exposed.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503142
Excavation photograph : area D and E - completed trial holes/boxes to N of grass, pre main excavation.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503148
Excavation photograph : area F - detail of brick rubble sealing likely wall line at E end of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1503154
Excavation photograph : area F - half sectioned pit/slot, cut through demo rubble.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1515446
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots from base of Lang Stair.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
SC 1909939
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
SC 1909940
Excavation photograph : area F - final shots of area.
Records of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
1987
© Historic Scotland
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT27SE 1.45 2512 7351 to 2515 7353
Areas D, E and F. The main gueardhouse. The site of this structure, marked on the earliest OS maps was well known; it had been demolished soon after it ceased to be the Main Guard in 1854.
Before the guardhouse was built, the rock face had been cut back, in places as much as 3.5m. The stone wall footings were fairly well preserved, and the complete outline of the 28m long structure is now consolidated and displayed. Details revealed include 2 stove bases and scracement ledges for plank floors.
P Yeoman 1988a
Excavations took place early in 1988 on the site of the Main Guard located opposite the Argyll Battery against the foot of the cliff face on the N side of St Margaret's Chapel. The excavated remains consisted almost entirely of foundation walls and demolition debris, but were sufficient to confirm the layout indicated by contemporary plans. Three phases of activity were defined.
S T Driscoll and P Yeoman 1997
Excavation (1987)
Excavations at Edinburgh Castle by Peter Yeoman, Historic Scotland in 1987
