Official Edinburgh Castle Website
Visit Edinburgh's famous castle for a great family day out, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Honours of Scotland, Mons Meg and One o’Clock Gun.
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock. Archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until 1633. From the 15th century, the castle's residential role declined, and by the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Its importance as a part of Scotland's national heritage was recognised increasingly from the early 19th century onwards, and various restoration programmes have been carried out over the past century and a half.
90K
3000 / day
135K
4500 / day
5.6 min
4.2 pages per visit
35%
-
Domain Rating
-
Domain Authority
-
Citation Level
12
English, etc
Website Key Features
The Great Hall
Built in 1511 for James IV, the Great Hall is a magnificent example of medieval architecture, used for banquets and state functions.
The Royal Palace
Home to the Stone of Destiny and the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Royal Palace is a must-see for visitors interested in Scotland's royal history.
St. Margaret's Chapel
The oldest building in Edinburgh, dating back to the 12th century, this chapel is a serene spot within the castle's walls.
The National War Museum
Located within the castle, this museum showcases Scotland's military history from the 17th century to the present day.
The One O'Clock Gun
A tradition since 1861, the One O'Clock Gun is fired every day except Sunday, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.
The Half Moon Battery
Offering panoramic views of the city, the Half Moon Battery is a key defensive structure of the castle.
The Prisons of War Exhibition
This exhibition provides insight into the lives of prisoners of war held in the castle during the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The Scottish National War Memorial
A poignant tribute to Scottish soldiers who died in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
The Mons Meg
A medieval siege gun or bombard, Mons Meg is one of the largest cannons in the world by calibre.
The Dog Cemetery
A small cemetery for the soldiers' dogs, located within the castle grounds.
Similar Sites and Competitors
Additional information
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Edinburgh Castle is part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1995.
Visitor Numbers
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most visited paid tourist attraction, with over 2 million visitors annually.
Opening Hours
The castle is open to visitors every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM.
Accessibility
Edinburgh Castle is committed to being accessible to all visitors, with facilities including wheelchair access and audio guides.
Events
The castle hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including military tattoos, historical reenactments, and seasonal celebrations.
HTTP headers
Security headers report is a very important part of user data protection. Learn more about http headers for edinburghcastle.scot