Now we are ready to start. Start at the Castle Esplanade, the big parking lot at the entrance to the Royal Castle

Start at the Castle Esplanade, the big parking lot at the entrance to the Royal Castle. From here, the highest and most historic point of the city, the Royal Mile slopes slowly downhill. Along the way the street changes names – Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Cannongate, but it’s a straight downshot totaling just over a mile.

Stand at the upper end of the Esplanade and take in the sights starting with the castle.

Edinburgh was born at this place. The most striking feature of Stirling Castle is its location. The crag on which the castle perches is volcanic rock formed more than 350 million years ago, then sculpted into its present form by retreating glaciers at the end of the Ice Age.

As Scotland became populated, it became clear that the rock overlooked an important natural crossroads. Travellers heading north to the Highlands or south to the Lowlands had to walk in its shadow in order to avoid ascending the Ochil or Touch Hills to the east and west. The River Forth could be crossed easily at this point too. The rock was an obvious place to build a look-out point, a stronghold, a fort, or a castle.

By 1110, there was not only a castle on the rock, but one with royal connections. King Alexander I is on record as dedicating a chapel within a castle at Stirling. The castle at this point was probably spread over three levels, with a summit site and an upper and a lower courtyard, as can still be seen today. The buildings would mostly have been built of timber, protected by ramparts of earth, rock and turf and would have included royal accommodation and space for government.

The growing importance of the castle by the end of the 13th century meant that it was at the centre of much of the action in the decades of intermittent warfare between Scotland and England known as the Wars of Independence. In 1296, Edward I, ‘Hammer of the Scots’, captured Stirling when he invaded Scotland. Over the next 50 years the castle was besieged eight times as England and Scotland fought to possess this key stronghold. In fact, between 1296 and 1342 it spent more time in English hands than in Scots’.

In 1371, Robert ‘the Steward’ became King Robert II, establishing the Stewart dynasty. After repairs and building works, Stirling Castle became a favoured royal residence.

Today Stirling Castle and Palace are primarily visitor attractions, places for learning, for recreation – and as a centre for the promotion of traditional skills and crafts. A landmark event was the opening of the restored Great Hall in 1999, a project which took over 30 years to complete. This project included restoring the hammerbeam roof and removing additions, and rendering and limewashing the external walls to their original yellow, known as ‘king’s gold’.

You have 15 seconds to complete the task. (Pause 15 seconds.)

Now you will hear the texts again. (Repeat.)

This is the end of the task. You now have 15 seconds to check your answers. (Pause 15 seconds.)

Задания 7 – 11