On the night of 2nd / 3rd April 1916 the first ever air raid in Scotland occurred when Zeppelin L14 bombed Edinburgh.
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| 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.
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| Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market c.WW1 |
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| Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market 2023 |
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| Edinburgh Castle and Grass Market bomb locations |
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| Edinburgh Castle rocks bomb location |
The bomb that landed in the Grassmarket impacted near the White Hart pub blowing in windows and damaging buildings.
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| Grassmarket April 1916 - crowds inspect damage |
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| Grassmarket January 2023 |
A stone marks the site in the Grassmarket where the bomb dropped.
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| Grassmarket bomb marker near White Hart |
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| Grassmarket bomb marker This stone marks the site of a bomb dropped from Zeppelin Airship L14 on the night of 2nd April 1916 |
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| The White Hart |
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| The White Hart |
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| The White Hart Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket |
