Endangered Heritage: Is Edinburgh Castle Falling Off Its Perch?
Edinburgh Castle. Image Credit: Winston Tjia via Unsplash
Situated proudly atop an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle commands the city’s skyline, embodying Scotland’s history and resilience. This 12th-century fortress, sprawling across 2.8 hectares and home to 27 historic buildings, holds centuries of stories within its ancient walls. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the castle is more than just a landmark; it’s the heart of Edinburgh, which has served as Scotland’s capital since the 15th century.
Travel & Culture Salon proudly supports the World Monuments Fund, which has protected over 700 unique sites in 112 countries.
Why Edinburgh Is Especially Vulnerable
Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city’s Old and New Towns—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—spanning 1.78 square miles and encompassing roughly 4,600 historic buildings. From narrow medieval closes to expansive Georgian squares, this dense and layered urban landscape is built directly into a dramatic, uneven topography.
That same combination of age, density, and terrain makes Edinburgh especially exposed to climate stress. As weather patterns shift across Scotland, the city’s historic core—constructed largely of stone and designed long before modern drainage systems—has little margin for error.
The most immediate climate-related pressure facing Edinburgh is extreme weather, particularly increased rainfall. According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), annual rainfall in Scotland has increased by 13% since 1970.
This is an issue for several reasons:
Increased Flooding and Sea-Level Rise
Edinburgh’s geography makes it susceptible to flooding, especially during periods of intense rainfall. As climate change progresses, the city will likely experience more frequent and severe storms, which will strain its drainage systems and increase the risk of flooding. Some areas of Edinburgh are low-lying, including parts of Leith and the Port of Leith. Rising sea levels could lead to coastal erosion and put historical structures near the shoreline at risk.
Erosion of Historic Sites
Edinburgh’s historic sites, including Edinburgh Castle and the centuries-old architecture of the Old and New Towns, are at heightened risk of erosion and decay as climate change intensifies. Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events, with heavier rainfall and stronger storms, threaten to overwhelm existing roof and rainwater management systems, rendering drainage systems insufficient to handle stormwater. Rising temperatures also heighten decay rates through freeze-thaw cycles, salt mobilization, and material deposition. Most buildings are constructed of porous sandstone, and repeated wetting and drying accelerate its decay, whereas colder, wetter conditions promote moss and lichen growth, further degrading the ancient masonry and increasing the urgency of preservation efforts.
“Our heritage is important. Because if we don’t know where we’ve come from, it’s difficult to know where we are going.”
Changes in Local Biodiversity
Edinburgh’s parks and natural surroundings, such as Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, host a range of native flora and fauna that are part of the city’s charm. But rising temperatures could threaten this biodiversity, altering habitats and potentially leading to the decline of species that thrive in the cooler climate traditionally found in Scotland. Furthermore, invasive species that thrive in warmer temperatures may spread, disrupting the delicate balance of local ecosystems.
North Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. Image Source: Robert B. Fishman via Ecomedia
Increased Coercion on Water Resources
As temperatures increase, water demand in Edinburgh is likely to rise. At the same time, changes in precipitation patterns may lead to drought, straining water supplies for the city and surrounding areas. Water scarcity could lead to more restrictions and pressure on water conservation efforts, especially during the hotter summer months, which have seen record-breaking temperatures in recent years.
Impact on Tourism and the Festival Economy
Edinburgh’s tourism industry, including the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, plays a huge role in the city’s economy. Climate change, however, could impact this tourism-based economy in several ways. Extreme weather events may make travel more unpredictable and uncomfortable, while increased temperatures could detract from the festival experience. Moreover, the city's infrastructure, not built for extreme heat or erratic weather patterns, could struggle to support visitors if conditions become less stable.
Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland. Image Credit: K. Mitch Hodge via Unsplash
Growing Health Risks
Rising temperatures pose health risks that Edinburgh hasn't historically faced due to its temperate climate. More frequent heatwaves can lead to heat stress, particularly among vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Additionally, warmer, wetter conditions may increase pollen counts and extend allergy seasons, while a changing climate could also lead to increased respiratory and vector-borne illnesses.
Responding to the Crisis
Scotland has one of the most ambitious climate change mitigation goals globally, aiming for a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 90% reduction by 2040, and achieving net zero by 2045. Edinburgh is actively contributing to these targets and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Edinburgh is also integrating these goals into the community. In 2016, 20 civic organizations, including the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh World Heritage, developed the Edinburgh Adapts action plan, which sets concrete goals to address climate change and enhance the city's resilience. These include initiatives focused on renewable energy, sustainable transportation, green infrastructure, and local projects like tree planting and enhanced flood defenses to mitigate its most immediate climate challenges.
“....historic assets are really vulnerable to being lost. Being swept to the sea. The sea will take what it wants to take. And there’s not very much we can do to hold that back. ”
Meanwhile, Historic Environment Scotland set out to identify environmental hazards, enabling the development of new maintenance guides for Edinburgh historic building owners on how to adapt to climate change. Innovative action. Like 3D capture technology, it also provides a tool for further understanding, evaluation, and the development of conservation management plans.
Edinburgh Castle. Image Credit: Unsplash
