Edinburgh Evening News - Pupils shut the Castle in protest against war

EDINBURGH Castle was closed down today after an anti-war protest on the esplanade.

Castle chiefs decided to close the gates as a safety precaution after around 50 young people gathered outside to protest against the war.

A source at the Castle said: "There was a protest outside the Castle on the esplanade. As a safety precaution for staff and visitors it was decided to close down the Castle."

A police spokeswoman said: "Around 40 or 50 young people were involved in an impromptu anti-war protest outside the Castle. They were gathered at the entrance to the Castle and police were in attendance."

One eyewitness said: "There are loads of schoolchildren here with banners. Two mounted police are up at the Castle and they have shut the car park.

"I think they are letting visitors out of the tunnel near the front gate."

A Historic Scotland spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a demonstration outside the Castle and are awaiting further information."

It is understood that the protest was organised by schoolchildren, who were also planning to stage a demonstration on Calton Hill at 4pm today.

Meanwhile, anti-war protesters today threatened to bring Edinburgh to a standstill on the day war breaks out in Iraq. The Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition is planning a massive show of civil disobedience, blocking main roads into the city centre and urging workers to strike in protest against the war.

Spokeswoman Catriona Grant said earlier today: "We will be stopping Edinburgh. We hope this will be the biggest show of non-violent civil disobedience Edinburgh has ever seen."

In a separate move, students have pledged they will walk out of school and college on Wednesday for an anti-war protest at the Scottish Parliament.

One Drummond High School pupil who is helping to organise the school walk-out said: "I can’t vote for four more years but I want my voice heard and so do other young people."

On the day of war, veteran Labour politician Tony Benn has urged people to walk out of work, college or school for an hour. Edinburgh Evening News