Edinburgh 2025

 

Edinburgh - Royal Mile The Albabanach

Edinburgh - Grassmarket White Hart

Edinburgh - Grassmarket White Hart

Edinburgh - Grassmarket White Hart IJ

During World War One Germany launched Zeppelin attacks on the United Kingdom.  The first raid on Scotland took place pn the evening of 2/3 April 1916. It was part of an attack by 8 Zeppelins on the North East Coast of Britain, and the naval base of the Grand Fleet on the River Forth at Rosyth. The German intent included three Zeppelins attacking Rosyth. 

Only Zeppelin L14 dropped bombs which landed in Leith, Holyrood Park, and around the Castle. One of those bombs landed in the Grassmarket near the White Hart pub.  

Northumbrian Gunner: Edinburgh - Zeppelin Raid 1916

Edinburgh - Grassmarket White Hart

Edinburgh - Grassmarket Zeppelin Bomb marker

Edinburgh
Grey Friar's Bobby

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle IJ

Edinburgh - Zeppelin Raid 1916

 On the night of 2nd / 3rd April 1916 the first ever air raid in Scotland occurred when Zeppelin L14 bombed Edinburgh.

Zeppelin L14 over flying Edinburgh

The first air raid by a Zeppelin on Britain occurred on the evening 19th / 20th January 1915 when Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth were attacked. Subsequent air raids occurred during 1915 and early 1916. London was the main target, with raids also occurring in the Midlands and North East of England. 

The first raid on Scotland was part of an attack by 8 Zeppelins on the North East Coast of Britain, and the naval base of the Grand Fleet on the River Forth at Rosyth. The German intent included three Zeppelins attacking Rosyth. 

Only Zeppelin L14 dropped bombs which landed in Leith, Holyrood Park, and around the Castle.

One bomb landed in the Grass Market and one on the Castle Rocks south west of the castle. 

Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market c.WW1

Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market 2023

Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market bomb locations

Edinburgh Castle rocks bomb location

The bomb that landed in the Grassmarket impacted near the White Hart pub blowing in windows and damaging buildings.

Grassmarket April 1916 - crowds inspect damage

Grassmarket January 2023

A stone marks the site in the Grassmarket where the bomb dropped.

Grassmarket bomb marker near White Hart

Grassmarket bomb marker

This stone marks the site

of a bomb dropped from 

Zeppelin Airship L14 

on the night of 2nd April 1916

The White Hart

The White Hart

The White Hart
Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket

Edinburgh - Royal Scots Museum

Royal Scots Museum Edinburgh Castle

Royal Scots

The Royal Scots were raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I of Scotland. It was the oldest, and most senior Regiment in the British Army. 

It remained as one of the few Regiments not to be amalgamated until 2006 when the Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed. Together with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Scots formed a new battalion, the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.

17th / 18th Century

Battle of Battle of Malplaquet 1709

Battle of Waterloo 1815

19th Century

World War One

World War One

World War Two - BEF France 1940

World War Two - Far East 1943-45

Northern Ireland 1970's

Operation Desert Storm 1990

2000's 

Royal Regiment of Scotland 2006

..

Royal Regiment of Scotland

------O------

Royal Scots Museum Medal Room

Royal Scots Museum Drum Major

Edinburgh - Ensign Ewart

 Ensign Charles Ewart was a soldier in the Scots Greys (Royal North British Dragoons) who captured the regimental eagle of the French 45e Regiment de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Ensign Charles Ewart

He enlisted into the Royal North British Dragoons in 1789, aged 20. He fought during the French Revolutionary Wars rising to the rank of Sergeant. 

On the 18th of June 1815, the Scots Greys were part of the Union Brigade, heavy cavalry part of General Picton's 5th Division, held in reserve behind a ridge. 

The 5th Division was committed to move forward to the crest of the hill to cover the withdrawal of Belgians. Whilst the infantry held firm, the cavalry passed through the ranks and the Union Brigade charged the French infantry. 

Scots Greys charge at Waterloo

The Scots Greys broke through the centre of the French 45th Regiment of the Line, breaking them up as an effective fighting unit. During the fighting, Sergeant Ewart engaging in close combat, captured the 45th's regimental eagle. 

Sergeant Ewart captures French 45th Eagle

To prevent recapture, he was ordered to take to safety.

Sergeant Ewart returns with the French 45th Eagle

The Eagle became the cap badge of the Scot's Greys, and is worn today be the successor Regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. 

Charles Ewart was given a commission as an ensign (second lieutenant) in the 5th Veteran Battalion in 1816, leaving the Army in 1821 when the unit was disbanded. 

After the Army he lived in Manchester, dying in 1846, where he was buried. His grave was forgotten; however it was rediscovered in the 1930's and in 1938 he was reburied on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in 1938.

Ensign Ewart grave

The Regimental Eagle and Standard of the 45e Regiment de Ligne is located in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum.

Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
Ensign Ewart
Cravat Eagle Standard 45e Regiment de Ligne

Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
45e Regiment de Ligne Eagle

Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
45e Regiment de Ligne Eagle

A pub named after Ensign Ewart is located just of the Esplanade on the Royal Mile.

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile
Charge of the Scots Greys

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile
45e Regiment de Ligne Eagle

Ensign Ewart Royal Mile VM