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List of governors of Edinburgh Castle facts for kids

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Edinburgh Castle and Esplanade LCCN2017660374
Edinburgh Castle

The Governor of Edinburgh Castle was the person in charge of this important royal castle in Scotland. They were like the castle's boss! Sometimes, they were also called the keeper or captain. The Governor usually had help from a deputy (a second-in-command) and a constable. The constable was under the command of the Lord High Constable of Scotland, a very old and important role.

The Governor had a special house inside the castle. A new one was even built in 1742. The job of Governor was never officially ended. However, no new Governors were appointed after 1876, when Henry Dundas, 3rd Viscount Melville passed away.

The role was brought back in 1936. It became an honorary title, given to the top army officer in Scottish Command. But since 2015, things have changed again. Now, the General Officer, Scotland, and the Governor of Edinburgh Castle are two different jobs.

Who Were the Governors of Edinburgh Castle?

The Governor of Edinburgh Castle was a very important position throughout history. Many different people held this role, especially during times of war or peace. They were responsible for keeping the castle safe and managing its daily life.

1stEarlOfOrkney
George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney, Governor from 1714 to 1737
4thEarlOfLoudoun
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, Governor from 1763 to 1782
11thEarlOfEglinton
Archibald Montgomerie, 11th Earl of Eglinton, Governor from 1782 to 1796
  • 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 Wars

The castle was controlled by the English from 1291 to 1314. This was during the Wars of Scottish Independence, a time when Scotland fought for its freedom.

  • 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 back the castle in 1314, it was partly destroyed. It was not used again 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, assassinated
  • 1340–1341: Sir Thomas de Rokeby, English governor

The Scots, under Sir William Douglas, captured the castle again in 1341.

Modern Governors of Edinburgh Castle

After a break, the role of Governor was brought back in 1936. It was given to the senior army officer in Scotland as an honorary title.

Neil Ritchie
General Sir Neil Ritchie, Governor from 1945 to 1947
Handover of the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, 2019
2019 handover from Riddell-Webster (R) to Bruce (L)
  • 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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