Edinburgh Castle

Crown Square

Crown Square was created in the 15^th century as the principal courtyard of Edinburgh Castle.

The name came into use when Sir Walter Scott discovered the Scottish Crown and other royal regalia, the Honours of Scotland, in the Royal Palace in 1818. Around the four sides of the square were the most important buildings in the castle:

• The Royal Palace, where the sovereign resided, along the eastern side.

• The Great Hall, the major place of ceremony, along the southern side.

• The Royal Gunhouse, where Mons Meg and other guns were displayed, along the western side.

• St. Mary's, the castle church, along the northern side.

The last two have long been demolished and subsequently replaced – the Royal Gunhouse by the Queen Anne Building and St. Mary's by the Scottish National War Memorial.

The square isn't built on solid rock, but stands on two tiers of stone cellars, which have had many uses – stores for food and military supplies; barracks; bake houses; and civil and military prisons.

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