Watch a clip of the firing
of the One O'Clock Gun

DVD
Edinburgh Castle

Running Time: 30 mins.

In a nation of a thousand castles, one stands out above all others. High on
a rock above Scotland's ancient capital, stands Edinburgh Castle. Royal
palace and impregnable fortress, prehistoric dwelling place and modern
tourist attraction: it is all these things, yet something more. Down the
centuries, the Castle has become the defining symbol of Scottish
nationhood. It is the embodiment, in rock and stone, of this land's rich and
tumultuous history.

The plinth of volcanic basalt on which the Castle stands is a remarkable
sight in itself. More than three hundred million years ago, a volcano
erupted and created the features which now make Edinburgh one of the
most distinctive cities in the world: with Arthur's Seat, the highest point in
the Capital. Below this is the rugged beauty of Salisbury Crags and the
sloping ridge ending in a breathtaking drop that became the Royal Mile
and Castle Rock.

This programme explores the history behind this iconic collection of
buildings, and brings the story up to date with the return of the Stone of
Destiny. Spectacular footage of the Festival Fireworks and the Tattoo
place the Castle in context with the City of Edinburgh as it is today.
Although deeply symbolic to many Scots of the nation's sovereignty, the
confines of the Castle itself were, for much of its life, the preserve only of
royalty and soldiers. Now it is open to all to explore and enjoy - a People's
Palace as well as a Castle of Kings.

Narrated by Jim McColl, the programme also contains French, German
and Spanish language options.