Craigmillar Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland

[Saturday - 05/01/99] Lady Medb didn't say anything from her seat in the van, but when I passed the sign for Craigmillar Castle on the way in to Edinburgh, I knew she wanted to visit this Castle again. On the Corvus '94 Pilgrimage, it was one of our favorite sites.

The small, Edinburgh suburb of Craigmillar appears in the historical record of the thirteenth century because of its most durable building, Craigmillar Castle, now a substantial ruin. In it's time, though, the stronghold played an interesting role in Scotland's history. Craigmillar was, of course, situated far outside Edinburgh when James V, the father of Mary, Queen of Scots, resided there in 1517. Like every other building of any note, Craigmillar Castle suffered badly at the hands of the Earl of Hertford during the English invasion of 1544.

It was restored, however, and it was here that Mary, Queen of Scots took refuge following the brutal murder of her secretary, David Rizzio, in March 1566. It is said, too, that Craigmillar was the spot at which the decision was taken to do away with the unfortunate Lord Darnley, Mary's husband, who was blown up at Kirk o' Field, Edinburgh, in February 1567.

The Castle had benefited from some much needed restoration work since we had last visited in 1994, but Craigmillar did not lose one whit of its charm or wonder. Despite its ruined state, the rooms and walls still speak volumes to the enchanted visitor and we couldn't help but find ourselves wandering around and playing throughout the place! For many of us, it was more fun than visiting the far more imposing Edinburgh Castle just an hour earlier.