Mary, Queen of Mother's Day

Mary Queen of Scots dropped by the Queen Anne Cafe at Edinburgh Castle this weekend to sample the delights of the special Mother's Day menu of tea and cakes.

Dennis The Menace comes to Edinburgh

This was a tricky PR shoot yesterday to promote the City of Dundee as the King of the Castles - in Edinburgh.

The picture had several elements needed to convey the message; Edinburgh Castle, Dennis The Menace and an advertising trailer with a giant poster of a castle in Dundee on it.

What made the shoot difficult was the position of the sun which was directly over Edinburgh Castle. I had to use quite a lot of off-camera flash to compensate for the strong sunlight.

You can read about the campaign on the Guardian site here.

King of the Castle

Nick Finnigan has been appointed as Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle, taking over from Barbara Smith.

Nick has worked in Historic Scotland since 1989. His extensive experience within the organisation includes managing corporate hospitality, catering, membership and weddings. In his previous role as Events and Filming Manager, Nick was responsible for the organisation of the packed events programme that entertains the millions of visitors to Historic Scotland’s 345 sites each year.

James VI Heads for London

An early start up at Edinburgh Castle on Friday morning to capture the departure of James VI. A rare early portrait of the Royal monarch - thought to have been used as part of marital negotiations with the Danish court - is leaving the castle this week to appear in an exhibition of Stuart and Tudor art at London's Weiss Gallery.

The painting, which has been attributed to Flemish artist Adrian Vanson is one of the few remaining portraits of James and certainly one of the most significant covering the period prior to the union of the crowns.

More information from www.weissgallery.com

Defender of the Nation

Edinburgh Castle is the Jewel in the Crown of Historic Scotland's properties and has been described as 'A mighty fortress with many treasures & a favoured residence of Scotland's Kings & Queens'.
This leaflet is the result of a commission from Historic Scotland to provide photography for marketing materials for properties the length of Scotland.

We shot the cover early in the morning before the hoards of visitors began to arrive. The castle welcomed 1,196,481 visitors through its doors in 2009 and is Scotland's top paid visitor attraction. More information on the castle can be found here.
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The Big Ticket

Culture Minister Mike Russell launched the Historic Scotland Free Weekend at Stirling Castle yesterday. To celebrate St Andrew's Day and the finale weekend of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Historic Scotland are throwing open the doors of 47 of their properties for free. To find a property near you text 'WEEKEND' to 84118 or visit the HS site.

Both Edinburgh and Stirling Castles are also free on St Andrew's. How many properties can you visit on one weekend?
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Orkney Venus Tour starts at Edinburgh Castle

It may sound like a heavy metal band but in fact The Orkney Venus is the earliest human figure ever found in Scotland and is going on display at Edinburgh Castle until the 1st November.
Photographed this morning at the Castle is seven year old Afra Manicini. Kids go free to the exhibition and the castle if they say the magic word 'Orkney' when they arrive.
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Hear, hear, the pipes are calling...

The skirl of the bagpipes can now be heard around Edinburgh Castle as Roddy the Piper will be playing daily throughout the summer season. The initiative by Historic Scotland will see visitors welcomed the castles imposing wooden entrance gates at 9.30 each morning, with performances also taking place before the firing of The One O'clock Gun. The picture shows Roddy wearing the Red Ramsay tartan in full highland dress.
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Aisling's Children

Performed at Edinburgh Castle as part of The Gathering 2009, Aisling's Children tells Scotland's Story from The Declaration of Arbroath, through wars and battles, the Clearances and tales of Homecomings. I was lucky to one of only two photographers to be given access to the performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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Come In, Come Out of The Rain

The heavens opened half an hour before Simple Minds took to the stage at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday night. However the deluge was soon forgotten as frontman Jim Kerr opened with appropriately named song, 'Waterfront'. The last of this year's Castle Concerts season.
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Crosby, Stills & Nash

Folk rock supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash wowed the audience at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday night. Part of the 2009 Castle Concerts season.
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The Lion and The Unicorn

Two of the great symbols of Scottish Royalty come to life on Edinburgh Castle esplanade to welcome visitors. The characters are being introduced for a trail period from Monday 6th July as part of ongoing development to enhance Scotland's premier paid for visitor attraction.
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Barbara Smith Masterclass

Edinburgh Castle Chief Executive Barbara Smith gives a masterclass on remaining positive during the economic downturn in the latest edition of LifeTimes, the Scottish Widows Magazine.
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Warrior Archangel

Historic Scotland's Jimmy Graham brushes away years of dust form an oak carving of St Michael which hangs 30 feet up in the shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle in time for the Easter Weekend. More here.
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Queen of the Castle

Barbara Smith, Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle who probably has the city's best view from her office high up in Crown Square. Visit RobMcDougall.com

Battle of Hastings

Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings comes face to face with other Gavin's during tonights grand opening ceremony of the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival which kicked off at Edinburgh Castle. Hastings is the festival ambassador and was surrounded by members of the Pelidactyls Rugby Club from the USA.

The Proclaimers

Scottish favourites The Proclaimers brought sunshine to Edinburgh Castle tonight for a sell out concert in front of their home fans.

Boyzone

Irish popsters Boyzone at Edinburgh Castle for the second night of the Castle Concerts 2008 season.

LEONARD COHEN

Canadian singing legend Leonard Cohen performs to a sell out audience at Edinburgh Castle tonight as part of the 2008 Edinburgh Castle Concerts series.

The Signet Library

The Signet Library in Edinburgh. Described by King George IV as “the finest drawing room in Europe” the building was finished in 1822 to a design by the architect Robert Reid.