No visit to Edinburgh would be complete without a trip around the city’s most famous landmark and it’s huge! There’s a lot to see including the Castle Vaults, the Great Hall, beautiful St Margaret’s chapel, and one of the world’s oldest guns, Mons Meg. The castle is also home to the National War Museum of Scotland, two Scottish regimental Museums and the crown jewels, the “Honours of Scotland”. The views from the castle ramparts are superb too. Make sure you allow enough time for your visit, we’d recommend 2 to 3 hours. Edinburgh Castle is at the top of the Royal Mile and you can also get to it through Princes Street gardens. This is an extract from our free Edinburgh City Guide.
Edinburgh castle at night
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT EDINBURGH CASTLE
Edinburgh from the castle's cannon
Human habitation of the castle site is thought to date back to around 900 BC, but there has certainly been a Royal castle here since the time of David I in the 12th century. The castle is a hotch potch of buildings and battlements constructed at different times. The oldest part of the castle is St Margaret’s chapel which is also the oldest building in Edinburgh. It’s though to have been built in the early 12th century and it’s absolutely beautiful inside. If you’re in the castle grounds at around 1pm, try to catch the firing of the “one o’clock gun” which is set off as a time signal every day except Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day.
ADDRESS & OPENING TIMES
Edinburgh Castle, Castle Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2NG
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 9846
Open summer 9.30am-6pm and winter 9.30am-5pm. Adult admission is £11 (2009 prices).
You’ll find Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile overlooking Princes Street Gardens.
MORE ON EDINBURGH CASTLE
Hotels near Edinburgh Castle - Great discounts from Hotels.com
More hotels in Edinburgh – Up to 30% off from Expedia.co.uk
Edinburgh Castle - Official website
Wikipedia
Military Tattoo website
VisitScotland.com
Books on Edinburgh Castle - Amazon.co.uk
