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Edinburgh Castle

Castles & palaces ·Edinburgh ·Closed
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#1Castles & palaces in Edinburgh#2Castles & palaces in the UKMost reviewed in Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleEdinburgh Castle

What's on here

Christmas Afternoon Tea Christmas Afternoon Tea 1 Dec – 3 Jan 2027

Why go

  • The Honours of Scotland, the Scottish Crown Jewels.
  • Mons Meg, a 15th-century cannon weighing 6.6 tonnes, with a 50-centimetre calibre.
  • St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh’s oldest building, dating from the early 12th century.
  • The Royal Palace room where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James.

Opening hours

Today09:30 – 17:00Show all
Monday09:30 – 17:00
Tuesday09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday09:30 – 17:00
Thursday09:30 – 17:00
Friday09:30 – 17:00
Saturday09:30 – 17:00
Sunday09:30 – 17:00

Don't miss

  • One O’Clock GunIts firing recalls the time signal sailors used to set their chronometers.Mills Mount batteryDaily, at one o’clock.
  • Great HallJames IV’s Great Hall, completed in the early 16th century.At the castle
  • Scottish National War MemorialScotland’s national war memorial within the fortress.Within the fortress

Know before you go

  • Open 09:30–17:00 daily, except 26 December.
  • Audio guides are available.

What's inside

  • National War Museum
  • Royal Regiment of Scotland Museum
  • Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
  • Royal Scots Museum

Tips for your visit

  • Buy tickets online through the castle’s own site.

Interesting facts4

1/4
  1. 120 metres

    The rock plateau stands about 120 metres above sea level and about 80 metres above the surrounding city.

    Edinburgh Castle - Wikipedia

  2. The deep well could run dry during droughts or sieges, making water supply to the Upper Ward difficult.

    Edinburgh Castle - Wikipedia
  3. 1837

    Below St Margaret’s Chapel, a small dog cemetery contains about twenty memorial stones and has held military mascots’ remains since 1837.

    Château d'Édimbourg - Wikipedia

  4. The castle remains the army’s ceremonial headquarters in Scotland.

    Edinburgh/Old Town - Wikivoyage (see)

Shorts

History

Over the centuries, the castle served as a royal residence, arsenal, treasury, archive, mint and prison. Its roles changed through sieges and shifts in power. From the 17th century, it mainly served as a military garrison.

  1. 9th c. BCArchaeological finds indicate settlement on Castle Rock.
  2. 11th c.A royal castle stood on the rock.
  3. 14 March 1314Thomas Randolph’s forces retook the castle in a surprise night assault. Robert the Bruce then ordered its defences destroyed to prevent English reoccupation.
  4. 1511The castle had become Scotland’s principal gun foundry.
  5. 1573The Lang Siege destroyed much of the medieval defences, including David’s Tower and Constable’s Tower. The Half Moon Battery and Portcullis Gate followed during reconstruction.
Show all
  1. 1633Charles I became the last reigning monarch to reside at the castle.
  2. 17th c.The castle’s main role shifted to military garrison.
  3. 1818Sir Walter Scott found Scotland’s royal regalia in a sealed room.

Tours and audio guides

Audio guides
Explore with an audio guide

How to get there

  • On footFrom the top of the Royal Mile, approach from the east and cross the Esplanade to the entrance at Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG.

Sources: Edinburgh Castle - Wikipedia · Edinburgh/Old Town - Wikivoyage (see) · Official Edinburgh Castle Website · Plan your visit | Edinburgh Castle · Tickets | Edinburgh Castle · Edinburgh Castle - Wikipedia · Château d'Édimbourg - Wikipedia · Edinburgh Castle: seasons, visitor information … · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where
Castlehill, Edinburgh

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Is Edinburgh Castle part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes, it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is the Stone of Scone still kept at Edinburgh Castle?

It was kept at the castle from 1996 to 2024.

How did Castle Rock form?

It formed from volcanic dolerite about 340 million years ago.

Where does the Royal Mile lead from Edinburgh Castle?

It runs from the castle toward the Palace of Holyrood at its eastern end.

Did anyone escape from David’s Tower at Edinburgh Castle?

Alexander Stewart escaped in 1479 by climbing from a window on a rope.

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