List of Governors of Edinburgh Castle


The Governor of Edinburgh Castle, also sometimes known as the Keeper or Captain, had overall control of the Royal castle of Edinburgh, Scotland. The Governor was usually assisted by a Deputy-Governor and a Constable, the latter being under the command of the Lord High Constable of Scotland. The Governor had lodgings within the Castle, with a Governor's House being built in 1742. Although the post was never formally abolished, Governors ceased to be appointed after the death in 1876 of Henry Dundas, 3rd Viscount Melville.
The office was revived in 1936 as an honorary title for the General Officer Commanding of Scottish Command. This, however, is no longer the case. In 2015 Major-General Nicholas David Ashmore was appointed as both Military Secretary and General Officer Scotland.

Governors of Edinburgh Castle

The castle was in English hands from 1291 to 1314, during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Following the Castle's recapture by the Scots under Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray in 1314, it was slighted and unused until the English returned in 1333.
The castle was again recaptured by the Scots under Sir William Douglas in 1341.