SCOTLAND'S castles are proving almost as treacherous to modern day staff and visitors as they did to generations of nobles and peasants.

Last year, an average of three people a week suffered injuries at castles, palaces and other properties managed by Historic Scotland.

A total of 152 tourists and workers suffered everything from a sore bottom to dust in the eye as a result of slips, trips and other mishaps at the properties.

The number of accidents is a significant increase on the 118 suffered the previous year.

Figures show there has been a medieval battle's worth of casualties – 660 – in the past five years.

Edinburgh Castle recorded 36 casualties last year alone, 11 of whom suffered falls on steps or stairs.