Edinburgh Castle
About
The fortress on the volcanic plug that started the whole city, run by Historic Environment Scotland and still garrisoned enough to fire the One O'Clock Gun every day except Sunday. Inside the walls: the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish crown jewels) and the Stone of Destiny, tiny twelfth-century St Margaret's Chapel, the great siege gun Mons Meg, and ramparts with the best sanctioned view over Princes Street and the New Town. Adult tickets run around £23.50 booked online against £26 on the walk-up, and in summer they genuinely sell out days ahead, so book online before you travel rather than gambling at the gate.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓The Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny
- ✓The One O'Clock Gun, fired daily except Sunday
- ✓St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh
- ✓Rampart views over Princes Street and the New Town
Tips
- →Book online in advance: it is around £2.50 cheaper than the walk-up price and guarantees entry on days that sell out
- →Summer opening is roughly 09:30-18:00 with last entry 17:00; winter closes an hour earlier; confirm on edinburghcastle.scot
- →Be on the ramparts just before 13:00 (any day but Sunday) for the One O'Clock Gun
- →The esplanade hosts the Tattoo's grandstands from late July through August, when the castle forecourt is a building site by day and a show by night
Best Season
More Attraction Activities
National Museum of Scotland
Scotland's free national museum: the great Victorian Grand Gallery, Dolly the sheep, and a rooftop terrace with a Castle view.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King's official Scottish residence at the foot of the Royal Mile: Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers and the ruined Holyrood Abbey.
The Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Family's decommissioned yacht at its Leith berth: a million nautical miles of service, toured from tea room to engine room.