The campaigners tried to abseil down Edinburgh Castle's north wall

The pro-Tibetan campaigners entered the castle on Thursday but were foiled by staff and later arrested by police.

Michele Rosato, 32, from London, and Huw Williams, 37, from Derbyshire, were fined at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after admitting a breach of the peace.

They were protesting the presence of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Defence solicitors told Sheriff Andrew Lothian the men were part of the Free Tibet Campaign and their aim had been to display that country's flag.

Tibetan protest

Their actions were in protest at the Chinese occupation of Tibet, where flying the national flag was now illegal, and the participation at the Military Tattoo of members of the PLA.

The two men were spotted by castle employees attempting to lower abseiling ropes over the ramparts near the north entrance of the historic venue.

After being approached by a staff member, Rosato jumped over the wall but Williams was stopped and restrained when the worker grabbed his leg.

Rosato was left dangling 50ft below the ramparts as his rope was 20ft short and another had to be lowered to him to bring him to the ground.

Rosato was said to be an experienced mountaineer, while Williams trained people in cave rescue and was a manufacturer of climbing equipment.

Their solicitors said the campaign organisers had liaised with the authorities about peaceful protesting but it was obvious the accused had strayed from the law on this occasion.