THE CASTLE. 123
Along the deeply arched vault which leads into the Argyle Battery, may be traced the
openings for two portcullises, and the hinges of several successive gates that formerly
guarded this important pass. In Sandby’s view, already referred to, from which the
vignette at the head of this chapter is copied, this gateway is shown as finished with an
embattled parapet, and a flat roof, on which a guard could be statioued for its defence ;
but since then it has been disfigured by the erection over it of an additional building,
of a very unornamental character, intended for the use of the master carpenter.
The apartment immediately above the long vaulted archway, is a place of peculiar
interest, as the ancient state prison of the Castle. Within this gloomy stronghold, both
the Marquis and Earl of Argyle were most probably confined previous to trial ; and here
also many of lesser note have been held in captivity at different periods, down to the
eventful year 1746, when numerous noble and gallant adherents of the house of Stuart
were confined in it, as well as others suspected of an attachment to the same cause.l The
last state prisoners lodged in this stronghold were Watt and Downie, accused of high
treason, in 1794, the former of whom was condemned and executed. It was at first,
intended to have fulfilled the sentence of the law at the ancient place of execution for
traitors, on the Castle Hill, but this being considered liable to be construed into a betrayal
of fear on the part of Government, as seeking to place themoelves under the protection of
the Castle guns, he was ultimately executed in the Lawnmarket.
The only other objects of ipterest in the outer fortress are the Governor’s House, a
building probably erected in the reign of Queen Anne, and the Armoury, immediately
behind it, where a well appointed store of arms \s preserved, neatly arranged, intermixed
with some relics of ancient warfare. In the exterior fortificatione, to the west of the
Armoury, may still be traced the archway of the ancient postern, which has been built up
for many years. Here Viscount Dundee held his conference with the Duke of Gordon,
when on his way to raise the Highland cla.ns in favour of King James, while the Convention
were assembled in the Parliament House, and were proceeding to settle the crown
upon William and Mary. With only thirty of his dragoons, he rode down Leith Wynd,
and along what was called the Long-Gate, a road nearly on the present line of Princes
Street, while the town was beating to arms to pursue him. Leaving his men at the Kirkbrae-
head, he clambered .up the rock at this place, and urgently besought the Duke to
accompany him to the HighlandR, and summon his numerous vassals to rise on behalf of
King James. The Duke, however, preferred to remain and hold out the Castle for the
terror of the Convention, and Dundee hastily pursued his way to Stirling.’ On this same
site we may, with every probability, presume the ancient postern to have stood, through
which the body of the pious Queen Margaret was secretly conveyed in the year 1093, while
the fortress was besieged by Donald Bane, the usurper.*
The most interesting buildings, however, in the Castle, are to be found, as might be
’ The rebel ladiw are also said to have been confined there, and Lady OgiMe made her escape in the drem of a
* Minor Antiquitiea, p. 65.
* Ante, p. 3. It has been stated (Walks in Edinburgh, p 52), but, we think, without su5cient evidence, that the
Castle was without fortifications on the west and north siderr until recent period, tradition assigning their fimt erection
to William 111. But the same walls that still exist appear in (lordon’s map, 1648, with the remains of ruinous buildinga
attnched to them, proving their antiquity at that earlier date.
washerwoman, brought by Wias Balmain, who remained in her stead ; she was allowed afterwards to go free.
