Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is instantly recognisable, dominates Edinburgh, and is a statement of Scottish power. If you only have a few hours to spend in Edinburgh then this is the place to spend it.

Apart from enjoying the scale, history and shear majesty of the Castle, and the spectacular views from its battlements, you can see the Scottish Crown Jewels - amongst the oldest regalia in Europe. The Stone of Destiny, on which the early mediaeval Kings of Scots were crowned as well as subsequent British monarchs, is also proudly displayed.

In addition to Edinburgh’s oldest surviving building, St Margaret’s Chapel, you can visit the Royal Apartments and the Great Hall, built by James IV in 1511. Scotland’s National War Memorial is here and you can also see the enormous Mons Meg cannon, which is among Europe’s oldest surviving medieval bombards.

The Dog Cemetery, where mascots and officers’ pets have been buried since the 1840s, and the prison where French and American prisoners were held at the end of the 18th century should also be visited, and no trip is complete without witnessing the famous One o’ Clock Gun being fired.

Open
All year – 7 days