Stone Ammunition of Mons Meg: Echoes of Edinburgh Castle's Military Past
Image Description: A Glimpse of Medieval Might
This photograph captures a simple yet powerful piece of Scottish history. Three large, perfectly rounded stone cannonballs are arranged neatly on a black platform, resting on a cobblestone patch beside a stone wall. Behind them, the paved courtyard and the rough stone walls of Edinburgh Castle whisper stories of ancient battles and royal power.
In the background, visitors are seen walking past—their presence offering a modern contrast to this historical weaponry. The cannonballs themselves are massive, each weighing hundreds of pounds, crafted from solid stone and worn smooth over centuries.
To the abstract-minded, these stones are not just weapons but symbols of strength, resilience, and the permanence of history. Their spherical shape and heavy presence evoke the mechanical and material challenges of medieval warfare.
What Is Mons Meg?
Mons Meg is one of the most famous medieval bombards in existence. This giant cannon was built in 1449 in Mons, Belgium, and gifted to King James II of Scotland in 1457. It was designed to launch enormous stone cannonballs—like the ones in the image—up to two miles away.
Caliber: 20 inches (one of the largest of its time)
Range: About 2 miles with the right conditions
Weight of ammunition: Each ball weighed around 150 kg (330 lbs)
Mons Meg was so powerful that it was used more as a siege weapon than on open battlefields. It was rolled out to frighten enemies, breach castle walls, and showcase royal might.
However, by the 16th century, such cannons had become outdated due to advances in gunpowder weapons and metallurgy. Mons Meg eventually cracked during a ceremonial firing in 1680 and was retired from service.
Edinburgh Castle: A Fortress of History
Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks. Located on Castle Rock, a volcanic plug that rises dramatically over the city of Edinburgh, the castle has been a military stronghold, royal residence, and national symbol for centuries.
A Few Key Historical Facts:
First settlement: Bronze Age (around 1000 BC)
First royal castle: Established in the 12th century by King David I
Major conflicts: Used in the Wars of Scottish Independence (13th–14th centuries)
Crown Jewels: The Scottish Crown Jewels ("Honours of Scotland") are housed here
Edinburgh Castle's strategic location made it central to countless conflicts between England and Scotland. Over the centuries, it housed monarchs, prisoners, and soldiers. Mons Meg, although no longer fired, still stands proudly on display here.
Other Weapons at Edinburgh Castle
In addition to Mons Meg and its accompanying ammunition, visitors to the castle can see a variety of historical weaponry:
The One O'Clock Gun: Still fired daily (except Sundays), it once helped ships in the Firth of Forth set their clocks.
Armory displays: Featuring swords, pikes, muskets, and armor from various Scottish campaigns
Cannons along the walls: Including 19th-century artillery installed during British military occupation
Each of these weapons tells a different story—of invasion, defense, ceremony, and technological evolution.
The Legacy of Bombards and Medieval Artillery
Weapons like Mons Meg belonged to the early era of gunpowder artillery, which started changing the nature of warfare around the 14th century. Bombards were slow to move and required extensive crews to operate. Their accuracy was questionable, but their psychological impact and destructive force made them fearsome.
Other famous bombards include:
Dulle Griet in Ghent, Belgium
The Great Turkish Bombard (used by the Ottomans at the siege of Constantinople)
These giant weapons gradually gave way to smaller, more maneuverable cannons that used iron cannonballs, not stone.
Other Notable Scottish Castles with Military History
Scotland is dotted with castles, each with its own role in the country's turbulent history:
1. Stirling Castle
Frequently involved in battles between Scotland and England
Home to Mary, Queen of Scots
Excellent military museum inside
2. Urquhart Castle
Overlooks Loch Ness
Played a strategic role during the Wars of Independence
3. Doune Castle
Filming location for Outlander and Monty Python
Once served as a royal hunting lodge and later a garrison
4. Blackness Castle
Known as "the ship that never sailed" for its ship-like shape
Used as a prison and artillery fortress
What Is the Most Beautiful Castle in Scotland?
While beauty is subjective, many consider Eilean Donan Castle to be the most picturesque castle in Scotland.
Located on a small island where three lochs meet
Restored in the 20th century
Often featured in films, calendars, and travel promotions
It lacks the military firepower of Edinburgh Castle but wins hearts with its scenic setting and romantic history.
For the Abstract Eye
This image of cannonballs tells more than a military story. To the abstract viewer, these stone spheres could symbolize:
Cycles of history: How weapons become relics
The permanence of stone vs. impermanence of war
Raw materiality: How something as simple as carved stone could define power
There’s a quiet dignity to these objects that once roared across battlefields.
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Let these ancient cannonballs bring a touch of history and texture to your next project.
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