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Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland from its position on the Castle Rock, which is estimated to have formed some 350 million years ago. The volcanic Castle Rock offers a naturally defended position. The summit of the castle rock is 130 meters (430 feet) above sea level and has rocky cliffs on the south, west and north, rising up to 80 meters (260 feet) from the surrounding landscape. People have lived on Castle Rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), and there has been a royal castle on the site since at least the 12th century. Through the ages the castle has been used as a royal residence, a prison, and an army garrison. It is the most important castle in Scotland and has been at the centre of numerous wars, having been attacked and besieged many times. From 12th century, it remained a royal residence until 1633 when Charles I became the last Scottish monarch to inhabit the castle.
