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(b) After the Act of Union the Ancient Royal Fortress and Residence dwindled to the status of a mere garrison; the Victorians, however, tried to recreate some of its ancient splendour. This long process of change is illustrated by the Castle we see today. Discuss.
6. Write a short critical review (no more than one side of foolscap) of the Edinburgh Castle section of Old and New Edinburgh*: what are its virtues and faults.
7. Everyone with experience of guiding is asked some questions to which the honest answer is “I do not know”– such questions are often impossible to answer and depend on the extent of one’s knowledge. List three such questions you have been asked about the Castle.
8. Are there any legendary anecdotes about the Castle which you might make use of in the course of your tour.?
9. A modern stone plaque in the castle commemorates Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. Why?
10. Mons Meg was sent by the Duke of Burgundy as a present to James II in 1457. Why is this piece of artillery so important, and how does it differ from eg the early 19th century cannon on Argyll’s Battery?
*Cassell's Old and New Edinburgh by James Grant was printed as a periodical in the 1880s and describes its history, its people, and its places by using anecdotal historical text with illustrations.
The newsletter said that several guides, however, had already completed and returned the test papers to the Information Officer, Craig Lindsay, and had the satisfaction of receiving a favourable reply to the effect that ‘Association members do know the Castle really well.’
But the new system was abandoned and the guiding at the castle returned to the status quo.
At the Palace of Holyrood House STGA guides could escort their own groups inside the building. Until 1970 coaches were allowed to drop their passengers in the courtyard outside the entrance to the palace until it was decided that too much damage was being done to the fabric of the building. Coaches then had to unload at the North Gate but were allowed to turn round the fountain empty but by 1972 no coaches were allowed in the courtyard at all.
In the past not only did visitors go to St Giles but Parliament Hall was part of regular tours. Coaches parked in Parliament Square until parking restrictions were introduced in 1970. In the 1970s it was also more usual for groups to have accommodation in Edinburgh and take one day tours
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