In 1728 General Wade reported that the castle's defences were decayed and inadequate. This led to a program of work throughout the 1720's and 1730's to strengthen the protection for the castle. Bastions were added on the north and west side of the castle, the Low Defences and the Western Defences.
It was during this period that most of the artillery defences were built, the Argyle, Forewall, Half Moon and Butes Batteries.
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| Edinburgh Castle Argyle Battery 18 Pounder cast iron cannon |
The Cannon in place are 18 pounder cast iron weapons of the Napoleonic period.
Argyle Battery
The Argyle Battery faces north with a field of fire over the City towards the River Forth. The Battery, named in honour of the Duke of Argyle, consists of six cannon.
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| Argyle Battery |
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| Argyle Battery |
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| Argyle Battery |
The Forewall Battery consists of 6 cannon behind a stone emplacement wall which face north east.
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| Forewall Battery |
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| Forewall Battery looking NE |
Half Moon Battery
Adjacent to the Forewall Battery is a continuation of artillery positions with. the Half Moon Battery. Its six guns face east overlooking the Castle Esplanade.
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| Half Moon Battery |
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| Half Moon Battery east overlooking Castle Esplanade |
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| Half Moon Battery looking ovet the Esplanade to Pentland Hills |
Butes Battery
Butes Battery, also know as the Druy Battery after Captain Theodore Drury covers the western side of the castle.