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Edinburgh Castle stands on an extinct volcano like a giant sentinile - dark & brooding - always watchfully guarding her City. The Castle pre-dates Roman Times and bears witness to Scotland's troubled past. It really is worth the entrance fee - One million visitors can't be wrong. Edinburgh Castle - now owned and managed by Historic Scotland stands 2nd. only to the Tower of London as the most visited attraction in the United Kingdom.Allow at least two hours to get the most out of your trip the views from the ramparts are simply stunning. Take note of the two heros who guard the castle entrance - William Wallace and Robert the Bruce their bronze statues were placed at the gatehouse in 1929 a fitting tribute to two truely Great Scots.
Adults £10.30
Children £4.50
Concession £8.50
Opening Times
April - September 9.30 - 6.00
October - March 9.30 - 5.00 Leave a Comment Address: Castle HillPhone: 0131 225 0946Directions: You really can't miss it uphill from the Royal MileWebsite: www.historicscpt;amd
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View Image Full Size To See Locations*
Typical views of the Edinburgh - from the Castle - just to give you the 'feel' of the place.
*The green area is part of Princes Gardens, on the north side of the Castle, a beautiful haven within the city. A very popular place. In the centre of this, the pointy tower (blackened by soot from all the coal fires Edinburgh used to have) is the *Scott Monument (Sir Walter).
*The two large buildings in the foreground are National Galleries - good for an hour especially in rain! If you look closely you will realise the gardens are used by the trains to reach Waverley Station*. Sigh.
The large block of a building (right of Scot monument) is an hotel* and beneath that is the main Tourist Information Office and Waverley Train Station*. Beyond that and further right is the old Observatory* - no longer able to cope with light pollution - but very significant and a delightful walk / views etc.
On the sky-line is the port of Leith* and the Forth Estuary, the Firth of Forth*.
I hope that makes sense!! Enlarge Pic to see. Leave a Comment Address: Edinburgh castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, UKDirections: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, view north over City.Website: www.visitscotland.com Other Contact: http://www.edinburgh.org/
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This view of the Castle shows the road along which coaches park. It also shows the steep rock upon which the castle sits. This is an old volcanic plug of lava, and the Royal Mile that slopes gently down to the royal palace of Holyrood is a lava flow.
Those not wishing to part with money can get excellent views of the City from the Castle Esplanade for free. (Best in the morning).
Walking around the base of the Castle (to the left on this picture) takes you on a footpath into Princes Street Gardens. You'll notice how the rock, like the buildings is blackened by soot from the old coal chimneys - that gave the City the name "Auld Reakie".
The Castle is expensive to get in (9.50 I think nowadays) so if your budget is tight, don't worry, inside isn't so great. Like so many things, its the fear of missing out that persuades you to go in, then its a disappointment. For that money it is questionable.
If you want to see inside, go early and beat the crowds!
Historic Scotland membership is very sensible. Also check out the Explorer Pass - various types - giving you access to many Historic Scotland Sites and a great saving!
Information about the Explorer Pass can be found directly from my Scotland Tip - http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/70ef2/f8/1/ - Click link and scroll down. Leave a Comment Address: EdinburghDirections: Centre of EdinburghWebsite: http://www.edinburgh.org/ Other Contact: www.historic-scotland.org.uk
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Mons Meg has been fired almost every day since 1861 at precisley one o'clock. The gun is Europes oldest surviving medievil cannon. The cannon is now in retirement at Edinburgh Castle & stands proudly beside St. Margaret's Chaplle. If you are in Edinburgh at 1 o'clock you will still here a different cannon booming out the hour. Mons Meg is still in focus today = check out the Bonnie Lassies pictured beside this geat icon. Leave a Comment Address: Inside Edinburgh CastleDirections: At the start or end of the Royal Mile depending on your direction of travel
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Standing on a volcanically formed crag, Edinburgh Castle formed the original city of Edinburgh. The castle was conquered, destroyed, and rebuilt many times over the centuries. The only two remain original structures are David's Tower and St. Margaret's Chapel.
The Honours of Scotland is displayed in the crown room. Mary Queen of Scots was the first royal who wore this crown in 1543 when she was only a 9-month-old baby.
Don't overlook the tiny chamber where Mary Queen of Scots in June 1566 gave birth to James Charles Stuart, who at the age of 13 months was crowned King James VI of Scotland. In 1603, upon the death of Queen Elizabeth, James VI became the first king who ruled both Scotland and England -- he was known in England as King James I. Leave a Comment
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To enter or not to enter ? ?
Inside the Castle, there is much to see. It was the seat (and regular refuge) of Scottish Kings, and the historical apartments include the Great Hall, which houses an interesting collection of weapons and armour.
The Royal apartments include a tiny room in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the boy who was to become King James VI of Scotland and James I of England upon the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603.
The ancient Honours of Scotland - the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State - are on view in the Crown Room. Nearby is the Scottish National War Memorial, a building designed and created shortly after the First World War; a moving experience. Leave a Comment Address: Castlehill - Royal Mile - EdinburghPhone: 0131 225 9846Directions: Impossible not to notice it...
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Edinburgh Castle has stood on the volcanic rock high above the city since as long ago as the 11th century, at least that is when its oldest building, St. Margaret's Chapel, was built by King David I and dedicated to his mother, St. Margaret. A copy of her Gospel Book can be seen on display inside the chapel. But archaeologists claim that the first traces of human presence on the rock date back to about 8000 B.C., i.e. the Stone Age.
The Castle's story is a reflection of the turbulent history of Scotland, even if in the 16th century, when the Palace of Holyroodhouse was built, it lost its importance as a royal residence and served more and more the military purposes. Besieged a number of times, it was not an easy target. The only place from which the enemy could access the castle was what now is The Royal Mile, that is, once they forced the Portcullis Gate, which was going to be a hard job. Still, the castle did fall into the English hands a few times. For centuries it served as a prison too, complete with instruments of torture and its own guillotine, popularly called the Maiden. From the time it was founded the Castle witnessed many a murder, like the ones following the infamous 'Black Dinner' in 1440, when the sixth Earl of Douglas and his brother were beheaded after having been presented with a bull's head, a sign of condemnation to death.
Exploring the whole castle will take you a few hours. Use the audio guide, which, when I was there, was to be had free, but apparently has to be paid for nowadays. Admire the fantastic views of the city the Castle offers and above all, don't hurry. Considering the entrance fee, you may never decide to go back there again.
Photograph by Izabela Szymanska Leave a Comment Address: Castle HillDirections: Walk up the Royal Mile, the only entrance to the Castle is from its upper end.
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Guards of Edinburgh Castle in Kilts.
Edinburgh Castle is also the home of the One O'Clock Gun.
This is fired every day except Sunday at precisely 1.00pm
An accurate way to check for our clocks and watches.
Opening Days/Times:
The castle is open all year, seven days per week, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
April to September: 9.30am to 6.00pm.
October to March: 9.30am to 5.00pm.
Last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing.
Prices:
Adult Charge : £ 9.50
Child Charge : £ 2.00
Concession : £ 7.00 Senior Citizens & Unemployed.
Children under 5 free. Leave a Comment Address: Castlehill - Royal Mile - EdinburghPhone: 0131 225 9846Directions: Impossible not to notice it...
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"All these ramparts and fortifications were built in the Middle Ages to keep the English out. But now we have a better way -- eight pounds fifty."
Thus spake our Scottish tour guide at Edinburgh Castle two and a half years ago.
Since then the defenses have been further strengthened, so to speak, since the cost of admission is now £9.80 for adults, £3.50 for children and £7.50 if you get a concession, for instance if you are a student or over sixty.
Opinions differ as to whether the castle tour is worth the price -- especially since the major museums in Edinburgh are all free! Personally, I do not regret having paid to tour the castle (actually I only paid £6.50 since I went before the price rise, and got a concession), but I don't think I would particularly want to do it again.
The bleachers visible in this photo were being set up for the "Edinburgh Military Tattoo", which is an open air show with brass bands and fireworks held here every year in August. Leave a Comment Address: Castle Hill (not that it needs an address)Phone: +44 (0)131 225 9846Directions: At the top of the Royal Mile.Website: http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/
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Those not wishing to part with money can get excellent views of the City from the Castle Esplanade for free. (Best in the morning before it is packed with coaches and people).
The Castle is expensive to get in (9.50 I think nowadays) so if your budget is tight, don't worry, inside isn't so great. Like so many things, its the fear of missing out that persuades you to go in, then its a disappointment. For that money it is questionable.
If you want to see inside, go early and beat the crowds! Historic Scotland membership is very sensible.
www.historic-scotland.org.uk Leave a Comment Directions: I remember a soldier running down the cobbles within the castle, in the rain and slipping, head over heals, kilt flying and all beneath exposed. He was most embarressed! Hi, hi.
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Destinations near Edinburgh- Edinburgh Castle, 0.00 km / 0.00 miles
- Leith, 2.08 km / 1.29 miles
- Granton, 2.11 km / 1.31 miles
- Portobello, 5.19 km / 3.22 miles
- Cramond Bridge, 6.22 km / 3.87 miles
- Cramond Island, 6.37 km / 3.96 miles
- Musselburgh, 9.52 km / 5.92 miles
- Dalkeith, 12.45 km / 7.74 miles
- South Queensferry, 12.98 km / 8.07 miles
- Saint Davids, 13.14 km / 8.16 miles
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