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List of governors of Edinburgh Castle facts for kids

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Edinburgh Castle and Esplanade LCCN2017660374
Edinburgh Castle, a famous Scottish landmark.

The Governor of Edinburgh Castle was a very important person who was in charge of this famous royal castle in Scotland. They were sometimes called the keeper or captain. The governor usually had helpers, like a deputy (assistant) and a constable (who looked after the castle's security).

The governor even had a special home inside the castle! A house for them was built way back in 1742. The job of governor was never officially ended, but no new governors were chosen after 1876.

Later, in 1936, the role was brought back as an honorary title. This meant it was a special title given to the top army officer in Scotland. However, since 2015, the job of the General Officer in Scotland and the Governor of Edinburgh Castle are two separate roles again.

Who Was the Governor of Edinburgh Castle?

1stEarlOfOrkney
George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney, was Governor for many years.
4thEarlOfLoudoun
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, another important Governor.
11thEarlOfEglinton
Archibald Montgomerie, 11th Earl of Eglinton, served as Governor too.

The Governor of Edinburgh Castle was a key figure throughout history. They were responsible for the castle's safety, its people, and its supplies. This was a very important job, especially during times of war or conflict.

Early Governors (Before English Control)

Here are some of the people who were in charge of Edinburgh Castle in its early days:

  • After 1067 (died 1121): Bartolf Leslie
  • 1107-?: Thomas de Cancia
  • 1153–1165: Geoffrey de Melville
  • 1165–1214: Reginald
  • 1171–1177: Rodbert
  • 1230–1231: Philip de Mowbray, Constable
  • 1251-?: Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith (died 1258)
  • Dates unknown William, Constable
  • 1263-?: William de Lysuris
  • 1278–1292: William de Kinghorn
  • Dates unknown William Clerk

English Control During the Wars of Independence

The castle was held by the English army from 1291 to 1314, during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

  • 1291–1296: Sir Ralph Basset de Drayton, English governor
  • 1296–1298: Sir Walter de Huntercombe, English governor
  • 1298-?: Sir John de Kingston, English governor - Captain and Constable
  • 1300-?: William de Rue, English governor
  • 1310–1314: Sir Piers de Lombard, English governor (from Gascony)

After the Scots, led by Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, took the castle back in 1314, they damaged it on purpose so the English couldn't use it again. It stayed unused until the English returned in 1333.

  • 1334-?: Sir John de Kingston, English governor
  • 1336-?: Sir John Strivelyne, English governor
  • 1337-?: Thomas Kynton, English captain and marshal, who was killed
  • 1340–1341: Sir Thomas de Rokeby, English governor

Scottish Recapture and Later Governors

The Scots, led by Sir William Douglas, took the castle back again in 1341.

Modern Governors

Neil Ritchie
General Sir Neil Ritchie, who was Governor from 1945 to 1947.
Handover of the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, 2019
A handover ceremony in 2019, showing the new and old Governors.

The role of Governor became an honorary title in 1936. This meant it was a special recognition for high-ranking army officers.

  • 1936–1937: General Sir Archibald Cameron of Lochiel
  • 1937–1940: General Sir Charles Grant
  • 1940–1941: Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Carrington
  • 1941–1945: Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Thorne
  • 1945–1947: General Sir Neil Ritchie
  • 1947–1949: Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Christison
  • 1949–1952: Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon MacMillan
  • 1952–1955: Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Barber
  • 1955–1958: Lieutenant-General Sir Horatius Murray
  • 1958–1961: Lieutenant-General Sir George Collingwood
  • 1961–1964: Lieutenant-General Sir William Turner
  • 1964–1966: Lieutenant-General Sir George Gordon-Lennox
  • 1966–1969: Lieutenant-General Sir Derek Lang
  • 1969–1972: Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Leask
  • 1972–1976: Lieutenant-General Sir Chandos Blair
  • 1976–1979: Lieutenant-General Sir David Scott-Barrett
  • 1979–1980: General Sir Michael Gow
  • 1980–1982: Lieutenant-General Sir David Young
  • 1982–1985: Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Boswell
  • 1985–1988 Lieutenant-General Sir Norman Arthur
  • 1988–1991: Lieutenant-General Sir John MacMillan
  • 1991–1993: Lieutenant-General Sir Peter Graham
  • 1993–1995: Major-General Michael Scott
  • 1995–1997: Major-General Jonathan Hall
  • 1997–2000: Major-General Mark Strudwick
  • 3 April 2000 – 17 November 2002: Major-General Robert Gordon
  • 18 November 2002 – 8 July 2004: Major-General Nick Parker
  • 9 July 2004 – 21 January 2007: Major-General Euan Loudon
  • 22 January 2007 – 19 June 2009: Major-General David McDowall
  • 19 June 2009 – 25 October 2009: Major-General Andrew Mackay
  • 26 October 2009 – 4 January 2012: Major-General David Shaw
  • 4 January 2012 – 20 October 2015: Major-General Nick Eeles
  • 20 October 2015–June 2019: Major-General Michael Riddell-Webster
  • June 2019–10 September 2024: Major-General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
  • 10 September 2024–present: Major-General Bob Bruce
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