 The campaigners entered Edinburgh Castle via the Esplanade |
Two pro-Tibetan demonstrators are being held by police after trying to abseil down the side of Edinburgh Castle. The Free Tibet Campaign members were protesting against the appearance of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
They tried to descend the north facing wall with a large Tibetan banner but one was stopped by staff while the other descended before being caught.
The duo are both currently detained by Lothian and Borders Police.
The group paid to enter the castle on Thursday morning via its entrance on the Esplanade.
Two of the activists attempted to jump over the outer wall with their 36 metre square banner.
One managed to make it over the wall and unfurl a small Tibetan flag as he lowered himself to the ground.
Free Tibet Campaign spokeswoman Anne Callaghan said: "One of our activists did manage to get the Tibetan flag out and even though it is a small flag it's a significant gesture since just displaying that in Tibet could lead to arrest and torture by the Chinese PLA.
"Obviously we would have wanted to display the large banner but it seems the castle did not wish to give us the welcome they are giving to the Chinese PLA.
"That is sad, because the decision to invite the PLA to the Tattoo, watched by thousands of people at the castle and millions around the world, sends a message that we accept what's currently going on in Tibet."
Democratic right
A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland, which runs Edinburgh Castle, said: "We can confirm there was a protest which took place at Edinburgh Castle this morning.
"Although we recognise it is a democratic right to protest, Edinburgh Castle and the Esplanade is Crown property, therefore we would not usually permit the property to be used for this purpose.
"In line with our procedures, the police were called to deal with the protest."
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Having received a report of a demonstration at the castle our officers found one person abseiling down the wall, who was detained.
"Another person who was assisting him was also detained while three other people were removed from the area."
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Obviously we would have wanted to display the large banner but it seems the castle did not wish to give us the welcome they are giving to the Chinese PLA 
