Still going strong

Almost 600 years old and still going strong. It's so hard to comprehend what events this place has witnessed. Oliver Cromwell bombarded the walls from land and sea in 1650 and the garrison surrendered. Later, it was used as a prison to hold French from the Napoleonic War. Imagine being plucked from the warm lands of South France and finding yourself imprisoned in a cold and draughty castle on the shores of the Forth - punishment indeed!

Today as part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations, it was one of many Historic Scotland properties that opened their doors free of chanrge. There were many folk braving the cold wind, including lots of children who had found the ultimate venue for a game of 'hide & seek'

Now home and nice and warm in front of the stove with steak pie in the oven - a good Sunday I would say!