Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle, an impressive fortress and one of Scotland’s best loved sightseeing attractions, sits atop an extinct volcano overlooking the capital city of Scotland. Castles are always popular with tourists using the Great British Heritage Pass, but Edinburgh Castle is amongst the favourites. It dominates Edinburgh’s skyline and offers stunning views of the city, not to mention a great insight into Scottish heritage.

Edinburgh Castle has much to explore and discover.  You can visit St. Margaret’s Chapel, which is Edinburgh’s oldest building and dates back to the 1100s.  Crown Square was the principal courtyard developed in the 15th century.  Also see the Great Hall, built by James IV, and admire its impressive hammerbeam roof, and the Scottish National War Memorial, added after World War I.

Visit the Prisoners of War Exhibition.  Edinburgh Castle was a prison for sailors from many countries in the early 18th and 19th centuries, including crewmen who sailed with the founder of the American Navy, John Paul Jones.  You can see their grafitti, handmade ships, and other items on display in this exhibition.

Edinburgh Castle houses the Stone of Destiny and the ‘Honours of Scotland’ in the Crown Room, objects of the highest historical and cultural significance to Scotland.  The ‘Honours’ include the Crown, Sceptre, and Sword of State, the oldest royal regalia in the United Kingdom.  These were all first used together for the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots, at Stirling Castle in 1543. 

The Stone of Destiny was the seat on which generations of Kings of Scots were inaugurated.  However, the English king, Edward I, had it forcibly removed from its ancient site at Scone Abbey in 1296.  It was then taken to Westminster Abbey and enclosed in the Coronation Chair and used for nearly 700 years in coronation ceremonies.  It was finally returned to Scotland on St. Andrew’s Day, November 30, 1996.

Be sure you’re around Edinburgh Castle around 1 pm for the One O’Clock Gun, where you can see a fascinating display on the history of guns and timekeeping, and witness this tradition that takes place at the castle every day except on Sundays.

Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most visited paying tourist attraction.  It is now in the care of Historic Scotland, who maintain the castle and the associated exhibitions.  No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle and once you have ventured up to the highest parts of the castle’s structure you will be overwhelmed by the spectacular views of Edinburgh.

Planning your visit to Edinburgh Castle

Tourists can visit Edinburgh Castle all year. They open from 9.30am until 6.00pm from April 1st to October 31st, and from 9.30am until 5.00pm from November 1st to March 31st. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.