Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Welcome to Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions with a history stretching back at least one thousand years.

View of main entrance to Edinburgh Castle with military guard in foreground,.
Main entrance to Edinburgh Castle

Overview of Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle sits atop a natural fortification in form of an ancient volcanic plug the elevation of which offers superb views over Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and other aspects of the local landscape. The castle changed hands many times during the Anglo-Scottish Wars of medieval times. Most of the castle buildings today date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle is particularly noted for:

  • It’s role as a venue for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
  • The One O’Clock Gun.
  • A place of safekeeping for the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels).
  • As a repository for the Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny).
View north from Edinburgh Castle with New Town in foreground followed by Firth of Forth and Fife coast in distance.
View north from castle with views of Edinburgh New Town, Firth of Forth and Fife Coast.

More information on Edinburgh Castle

The castle is a large and complex site. Here is a list of key features which will normally be encountered in course of a two hour visit:-

→Argyll Battery: Offering a display of cannon and panoramic views over Princes Street below.

→One O’Clock Gun: Stands on Mills Mount Battery and has been fired each weekday since 1851, originally as an aid to navigation for ships in the waters below.

Firing on One 0'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle
One o’Clock Gun

→St. Margaret’s Chapel: Private chapel of Queen Margaret dating from 1076. The oldest building in Edinburgh.

View of St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle
St Margaret’s Chapel

→Mons Meg: Giant 15th century cannon presented to King James II of Scotland by the Duke of Burgundy in 1457.

View of Mons Meg cannon at Edinburgh Castle.
Mons Meg

→Dog Cemetery: Small graveyard for regimental and soldiers dogs visible over the wall from near Mons Meg.

→Half Moon Battery: Dates from 1574 on site of David’s Tower.

Crown Square is the heart of the castle comprising the following:

→Palace: Also known as King’s Lodging where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI (Scotland) I (England).

→Crown Room: Here are the Honours of Scotland including crown, sceptre, sword and other items of Scottish regalia.

→Stone of Scone: A historic block of sandstone of which Scottish monarchs at during coronations.

→Great Hall: Dates from 16th century. Noted for its elaborate timber roof  and display of arms and armour.

→Scottish National War Memorial: Inaugurated in 1927 to commemorate the Scots dead of World War I.

→POW Exhibition: In old vaults which date from past conflicts including the Napoleonic Wars.

Here is a video clip of Crown Square-

More information on Scottish castles

For more information on Edinburgh, Scottish castles and sightseeing in Scotland refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4

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