Edinburgh

Castlehill – South Side

On the southern side of Castlehill, opposite the Weaving Centre, is Cannonball House, which takes its name from the cannon ball that is embedded in the west wall, facing the castle. The building itself dates from the 15^th century, although it was extended in 1630 and further modified in the 16^th and mid-19^th centuries.

As for the cannon ball, according to legend, in 1745 the castle garrison fired this at Bonnie Prince Charlie’s encampment at Holyrood. However, the ball actually marks the gravitation height of the city's piped water supply. The water was brought from Comiston, in the hills to the south of Edinburgh, from the early 1620s.

Between Cannonball House and the Castle Esplanade are the Castle Wynd steps, which lead down to the Grassmarket crossing Johnston Terrace about half way down.

Alongside Cannonball House the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre gives a presentation on all aspects of Scotland's national drink - including an interactive explanation of how it is made. This building used to be Castlehill Primary School and the entrance can still be seen from Johnston Terrace.

Boswell's Court dates from the 17^th century and was named after Dr. Boswell who lived here in the late 18^th century. His nephew, James Boswell, was Dr. Samuel Johnson's biographer.

Opposite the Assembly Hall is the former Tollbooth Kirk, which was built in the 1840s to house the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The 74m/240ft spire is the tallest in Edinburgh. It has not been used as a Kirk since 1984 and is now known as The Hub, Edinburgh’s Festival Centre.

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