Edinburgh has been around since at least 850 BC. A castle has existed on the towering Castle Rock since the 6th century. The English sacked the city no less than seven times. Edinburgh began to grow in the 11th century when markets developed along what is now called the royal mile. John Knox returned from exile in 1555 to share the ideas of Calvin, which began the Scottish Reformation. James VI/I moved the court to London after becoming King. The Union in 1707 with England has left only some Scottish government buildings in Edinburgh. However, they are now building a Scottish Parliament Building at the end of the royal mile.

      John Knox house is situated along the Royal Mile. Knox is thought to have occupied the 2nd floor from 1561-72. With a lot of reading inside the house, you can understand the bitter rivalry between Knox and Mary, Queen of Scots. His 1st and 2nd books of Discipline are on display and can be seen on the miscellaneous page.

sack - to plunder (as a town) especially after capture

Edinburgh Castle

Holyroodhouse

Miscellaneous Pictures

Cornwallis, Graeme and Smallman, Tom, Scotland, Lonely Planet Publications, March 1999.