By Medieval times other fortifications that would later become part of the city, such as Craigmillar Castle and Lauriston Castle, also sprung up for similar defensive reasons. Another strategy for a bit of peace and security was to inhabit an island such as those in the Forth Estuary, which explains the presence of Inchcolm Abbey.

Meanwhile back at Edinburgh Castle, a robust little settlement had grown up outside its defenses and been given it's own city walls in the mid-15th century. This paved the way for an era of rapid growth that walls could barely contain.

Soon building was going in the only possible direction – up – creating a early-day Manhattan that was pretty unique in the Medieval world. Wondering the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town still gives a pretty good impression of this, but visits to Mary King's Close and Gladstone’s Land help bring the era alive even more.