Thistle and Rose: Living History

10/10/2026

And they call it Puppy Love 💕

One of our favorite parts of re-enactment is all the furry friends we make! Or at very least it’s one of Samantha’s favorite parts 🤭

08/10/2026

Sharing this amazing event in London. We’ve been to this event previously and have to say it’s one of our favourites!

You’re invited to an evening of dancing and high society as The Duke’s Guest at Apsley House. Discover the proper etiquette of a 19th century ball, test your skill at cards, and learn to dance without embarrassing your host!

06/10/2026

Do you like Halloween puns? How about a pun title for a Halloween event right here at our castle? 🎃🏰

To celebrate the Halloween Shenanigans taking place at the castle on Sat 31 October, we’re changing our name to Edin-boo! Castle as historical figures from the castle’s past will step our from the shadows to tell their secrets!

Join us between 11am & 3pm, ghoulishly good fun is guaranteed!

Halloween Shenanigans is included in your ticket to the castle, which is free for members, so all you need to do is book your ticket on our website.
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/public-performances/performance/?eventId=e7082024-8f74-4229-aab8-b34001033885/

📸Rob McDougall

05/10/2026

An uncanny resemblance and incredibly accurate! 🤭

04/10/2026

October is finally here, and that means we’re in scary season and the month of whispers, spirits, and all things magical! 🎃

Scream into the season by boooooo-king your tickets to the castle this October and taking part in some of our hauntingly good Halloween events!

If you’re visiting us between Sat 10 Oct and Sun 1 Nov then be on the look out for the Wild Magic! sprouting between the castle stones. Ancient people had stories to tell about the plants and trees native to Scotland, in our self-guided family trail, search the castle for hidden stories of these ancient magics to uncover the secret and gain a sticker reward! Wild Magic! An Autumn Family Trail is the prefect way to keep the wee ones entertained as you explore the castle.

If you’re brave enough to step foot through our portcullis on Halloween Day (Sat 31 October) then beware shenanigans abound as the castle will transform in ‘Edin-boo! Castle. Scarily bad puns aren’t all you’ll have to entertain you as special historical characters will step out form the past to share their secrets, adventures, and stories of days gone by. Who will you meet?

Both these events are included in your admission ticket to castle, just make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out.

Find out more on our what’s on page: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/public-performances/

21/09/2026

With our friends at Edinburgh’s baroque and quadrille ball ⚜️

11/09/2026

Over the last few days, we celebrated many historical battles and their anniversaries. But what about celebrating celebrations themselves?

So, for a slightly different change of pace, here are photographs of the ‘thistle’ from Les Fêtes Galantes at Château de Versailles

11/09/2026

Over the last few days we have had a few anniversaries of English victories over the armies of Scotland. On this occasion, we remember the Battle of Stirling Bridge, fought 11th September 1297 during the Scottish Wars of Independance.

Having fallen under English rule following defeat at Dunbar in 1296, Scotland once again found itself without a King. John Baliol had been de-throned and was a prisoner. John de Warren, Earl of Surrey and Victor at Dunbar, now held Stirling Castle for the English.

1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace combined in rebellion against the English and both led an attack on Stirling Castle.

Unlike the film "Braveheart", the Battle of Stirling Bridge actually features a bridge. A long narrow wooden bridge that would only allow two horses to cross side by side at a time.

Surrey was concerned at the Scottish numbers he faced and held off crossing the bridge, instead opting to negotiate. The Scots were not in the talking mood and their resolve was to do Battle. A Scottish noble in the service of the English offered to take Cavalry and flank the Scots as there was another crossing further away that would allow up to six horses to cross side by side at a time.

Hugh De Cressingham, England's treasurer responsible for taxing the Scots and therefore possibly the most hated man in Scotland decided to ignore this advice as well as Surrey's warnings, and led an army across the wooden bridge instead.

Wallace and Moray timed their attack perfectly, and most of the English army that had crossed were wiped out, including de Cressingham. It was a complete disaster for England.

Sadly for Moray, he was killed during the fighting and so almost all credit of the Scottish victory went to Wallace. Scotland now had its leader!

But the war was not over, and the King of England would soon come to Scotland....

11/09/2026

On this day, 11th Spetember 1709, the Battle of Malplaquet was fought.

The Duke or Marlborough, still undefeated, now had to face the greatest French Marshal of the age, Marshal Villars. Villars had observed Marlborough's tactics from his earlier victories and was able to counter these resulting in Malplaquet becoming Marlborough's hardest fought battle. In the end, the French were forced to leave the field and yet another victory for Marlborough was claimed. However, this time it was a pyrrhic victory as the Allies lost more lives than the French.

Malplaquet would later be known as one of the bloodiest battles of the 18th Century and popular opinion of Marlborough started to wane with the Torries at home labelling him a Warmongerer.

10/09/2026

Over the August Bank Holiday 26. Worcester Re-enctors and friends setup at Raglan Castle for a weekend of multi period re-enactment. Many periods were covered. Saxon, Medieval, Tudors, English Civil War, Napoleonic, Zulu Wars, WW1 and WW2. A great weekend was had by re-enactors and visiting public. Even the weather was kind to us. We were well looked after by Raglans custodians and we are looking forward to visiting next year.