10 Jun 2009 - Launch of Junior Tour Guides at Craigmillar Castle

This is some of the tour guides marching down to the bagpipes.

The costumes were specially made.

The guides stood for a short while, listening to a speech by Craig Fletcher from Historic Scotland and Mrs Robertson, before leading the groups up to the castle to begin the tours.

This is two of the Junior Guides ready to welcome their group.

 Once through the first curtain wall, the visitors were taken to the second curtain wall.  Here the guard is in the front, defending his castle.

This is one of the tour groups.  They have time travelled to the year 2009 from the 16th century. 

 

 In the centre is Sir Simon Preston, his lovely wife, Lady Elizabeth Preston and their trusted servants Davie and Mary.  The Prestons were very important and wealthy people - friends of her majesty, Mary Queen of Scots.

 This is the other group.  Again Sir Simon and Lady Elizabeth are joined by their servants, Davie and Mary in the centre and the other members of the household stand to the sides.  The household include The Guard, the Gardener, the Cook, the Constable and the Prisioner.

This is the guides ready to start detailing the historical facts at stop 2 - the entrance to the tower house.

This is at the very top of the castle.  Sir Simon is asking why there is a pond in his garden, shaped in the letter P?  Can you guess why?  He also told us why the castle was build on a hill and told us that one of his favourite hobbies was hawking. 

  This is the graduation ceremony in the Great hall of Craigmillar Castle.  All the tour guides graduated with a certificate.  The certificates were handed out by Councillor Maureen Child.

The Junior Tour Guides are now officially open for business.  If you would like a tour of Craigmillar Castle then please get in touch with the school.