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Recommended Reviews - Edinburgh Castle
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The quitessential Edinburgh experience not to be missed! Well organized and well presented. We downloaded the audio tour in advance. There is a queue to see the crown jewels but be advised the line moves fairly quickly so do not be deterred. Views are amazing!
Very worthwhile visit to this historical site. More than just one castle; it is/was an ongoing project with Scottish royal additions and military installations over the centuries. Full of exhibits tucked away in hidden spots in the stairwells, the old prisons, and military barracks. Multitudes of museums housing the royal jewels, weapons, dress, and military units. Visited in August and purchased our tickets in June. It appears tickets sell out 3-4 weeks in advance. And the crowds get bigger by the hour inside. The 1pm firing of the cannon is a crowd-pleaser. And loud. Be prepared to take a lot of pictures.
We came on a Monday afternoon at 2pm. Within 45 minutes- 1 hour the place was packed. The views are great and they have plenty of memorabilia to observe. Wait times for the jewels were about 15 minutes with pretty long lines. We couldn't get through the entire prison section due to the amount of crowding inside. Overall, a cool experience but might recommend arriving close to open time to avoid the crowds.
Interesting place to visit but I would recommend getting tickets early and not depend upon a tour group wi to a guide. We did this just to get in. Guide was knowledgeable for the most part but basically dumped us in the castle which was fine. We stayed until they ran us out and roamed freely and saw everything. It's incredible how something like this is still standing. We thought it was awesome and if in Edinburgh you must see it.
Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors each year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the 'Honours of Scotland' - Britain's oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city's skyline, visible from miles around, it's also the feature which gives the city its name -- the old Gaelic name translates roughly as 'the fort on the hill'. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle's sights and attractions, you'll need much more than two hours... especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret's Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert's Churchyard, The Vennel
We went here while on vacation with ages ranging from 2-75. Make sure you schedule your time. They are very strict about it. There is a lot of walking and mostly uphill. Plan for a few hours because it is huge. If you have young kids a stroller is a necessity. It is a beautiful sight and a must when you are in Edinburgh.
I visited this castle 20+ years ago and it was raining so didn't really see it in its fully glory. I was so happy that this time around, I visited on a sunny day! Place is simply magical and a visit not be missed when visiting Edinburgh. There is a lot to see and admire about this place. Although it was in the middle of February, it was super busy. I am glad that we had reserved tickets and that we were early on site. By the time we left, it was super crowded.
I'm embarrassed to say that we didn't get to see the castle the first time we were in Edinburgh. My mother was visiting us for the summer, and we did what she wanted to do thinking we would go back before leaving the UK. That never happened. I remember staring up at the castle longingly from Princes Street. There was no way we would miss this opportunity again 35 years later. It was so worth the long wait. We arrived at the castle close to 1:00 PM. It was just in time to see and hear the One O'Clock Gun on the Argyle Battery. What a cool experience! Our guide for this walking tour made it more special with his countdown to the last second. It was perfect. He gave us a brief overview of the castle and the exhibits. Then, we were on our own to explore everything it has to offer. There's even a whisky experience there. Honestly though, we were more thirsty for water at that point. We took the grand walk up the Royal Mile. There is a shorter route to get there from Grassmarket if you're staying in the West End of Edinburgh. We took that route on the way back down. The Royal Mile just has so many sights to see along the way. It's totally worth the longer walk. The castle is an experience. You could spend half a day there. We stayed for a couple of hours. I think people stay longer in August during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We were there at the low end of the tourist season in November. It had its advantages being that it's not as crowded. It typically rains a lot, but fortunately it was a good weather day (just partly cloudy). It was great! We saw the Scottish National War Memorial (no pictures allowed inside) and gallery. It was a highlight along with St. Margaret's Chapel. There is a Prisons of War exhibit in the vaults under Crown Square. It's here where you can see the prisoners graffiti on the doors behind a glass display. There also is a model of the HMS St. George that French POWs made while imprisoned at Edinburgh Castle. It dates back to 1760. It's an interesting exhibit that gives a visual of how they lived in these prisons with audio recordings in the background. Another highlight worth mentioning is the Dog Cemetery and Mons Meg. If that's not enough, then you can also see the crown jewels (or not). There are just so many more interesting things to see in my opinion than the jewels, but why not? It's all included in the admission price. It's a must visit in Edinburgh. I regretted not seeing it all these years. It was great to finally experience it.
Must-visit if you're in Edinburgh. We had reserved tickets to get in, and got lucky as it was a beautiful day, sandwiched between dreary rainy ones which are more common in this part of Great Britain. We enjoyed the history, the magnificent views of old and new town sprawled below us and the Firth of Forth beyond, the museum, and the One-O-Clock gun! Pro-tip: Book a late morning entry time so you can be there at 1 pm for the gun, duck indoors into the museum or gift shop if it rains, and dress in layers, as the weather can change in minutes.
If you are in Edinburgh for the night, you need to ensure you have tickets for Edinburgh Castle. You can't go to Edinburgh without visiting the Castle if you have never been. The Castle is a venerable place overlooking Edinburgh and beyond. A glorious view surrounds you at all angles as you make your way through the grounds. There are many places to check out both inside and outside where you will take more than a few pictures. When you think of gloriously grand castles that impose over the surrounding landscape, it's Edinburgh Castle. God help any invader back in the day from trying to invade the castle, they would fail miserably. There is much to enjoy at the castle between The Great Hall, Margaret's Chapel, the castle jail, the Esplanade, as well as the views that will knock your socks off. Make sure to buy tickets in advance. For a few dollars more, you can do a flexible entrance at any time during the day, which allows you to go visit whenever you like on that day.
A must-do while in Edinburgh. You could spend hours roaming the castle and various museums included within. We spend about three hours and it wasn't even that crowded. You start on the main level which has some great views of the city. From there, you can head up, stopping off at various side points which have story boards and short videos speaking to the castle history. Once at the top, more views of the city, a little shop, and a prayer building. If I am remember correctly, you'll also find the Scottish crown jewels in this area as well Back down, you have a few museums which cover history both long ago and more recent. You'll learn of the Scottish involvement in the world wars and see plenty of artifacts to help you make your stay a bit education. Again, a must-do while here!
The Edinburgh Castle is by far the largest draw of tourists walking up a steep embankment to capture a glimps of Scottish history. There is a cost to enter the castle, although free to wander the exterior grounds and take amazing pictures and videos. The castle was worth the exhausting walk, and even for me as an anti-historian who does enjoy cool stuff, I was strangely impressed. Breathtaking views of the 15th century city of Edinburgh surrounding the beloved castle. Oddly, the massive castle structure was choppy and square instead of the traditional pointed sectionals.
Edinburgh Castle is absolutely worth the visit. The atmosphere is eerie and powerful, and you can feel how much history is buried there. I did a guided tour with Marcus and he was my favorite part of the experience! He was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely excited to share history beyond castle walls. We talked about Scottish and English rulers, Scottish clan warfare, conflicts with England, and the castle's role in our world wars. Crazy! If you're traveling to Scotland, this is a must-see, and a guided tour is 100% worth it--definitely book it!
Although a history buff, of sorts, for me the best part (photographically) of Edinburgh Castle was the exterior. Sitting atop a stone mountain, this fortress has an incredible history. The double-deckers that go around the city provide some great vantage points for capturing the immense size of the whole compound. The walk into it sheds light on some of the history, as do the interior buildings. You can spend a lot of time here going through each and every spot inside the fortress and, if you are lucky as we were with a very nice day, imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago to battle not only the elements on a year-round basis, but also your enemies. Wonderful, maintained history of a very proud people. read more
9 years ago
15 years ago
IT IS A CASTLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY! This would have gotten my five stars even if you couldn't go in (which you can). I would still be jumping up and down if it didn't have a fascinating history that you can explore within its walls (which you can). So I don't care if it's a little pricey to get in (eh...) or what the tours are like (I didn't take one, so I truly don't know.) Because: IT IS A CASTLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY! I'm from Canada... you know what we have in the middle of our cities? NOT CASTLES. I moved here ten months ago, and do you know what I use as a point of reference when i'm trying to get around the city? A CASTLE. This fact still makes my mind explode about once a week. Edinburgh, you beautifully epic thing you. read more
4 years ago
So I was recently at Edinburgh Castle for a wedding (Not mine) and I have to say, as wedding venues go it's one of the best I have been to. Everything from hiring the kilts out and then arriving on the royal mile for a quick bite to eat and a cheeky whiskey before hand helped set the scene for this grand experience. I have to say that it was my first time at the castle, which is a little shameful considering I'm half Scottish and lived there for 8 years. So as you are walking up (Getting stopped by tourists for a photo with a man in a kilt) you are greeted by the imposing castle. Ladies if you are making the walk in wedding heels I suggest maybe getting your man to carry you or bringing a pair of flats and changing at the top because its all uphill on cobble stones. There are several venues available for weddings and we were in the Queen Anne room I think. You arrive in a small but very nice little bar separated from the main room by a bright little atrium like corridor filled with additional seating. The décor as I am sure you can imagine is beautiful and there is a massive courtyard outside the door (Leading to the great hall and the tower housing the crown jewels) So the wedding itself was stunning, the Queen Anne room is a long well proportioned room, richly appointed and very tasteful. Plenty of room for all the guests (I think there were about 100 of us) Once the ceremony was over we lounged in the bar while the bride and groom got their photos down around the grounds of the castle. (I'd like to point out that the castle was now closed to the public at this point so no droves of tourists to interrupt you and guests had free reign to wander about. Something nice about having the place to yourself) After the photos we went and had the meal. The food was delicious, though I would point out some of the dishes were a tad lukewarm. This was forgivable though given the venue. After food they needed time to set up the hall for dancing so all the guests had a private tour of the crown jewels, I thought this was a great touch and a good way to kill 45 minutes while they set up. Dancing was great, drink was flowing and to top it off we were presented with platters of bacon and sausage butties later in the night. Overall this place was amazing, the staff were friendly and organised and the food was tasty. Drink was not overly expensive and the views and access the guests had were second to none. If it had of been a summer month we would all have probably been out dancing in the courtyard, but alas, March in Scotland is unforgiving for those wearing kilts ;-) read more
Edinburgh Castle very nearly gained another ghost when I almost died from heart failiure at their ticket office yesterday. A whopping £16 for a single adult ticket? I'm sorry but WHAT? Once I'd got over the initial shock and handed over my cash (rather reluctantly), I made my way around the castle. The views from up there are spectacular. You can see the Firth of Forth and tiny islands popping up out of the water, as well as mountains and hundreds of beautiful old buildings across the city. It's pretty much porn for any budding photographer or Instagram addict. I was really impressed with the War Memorial, Great Hall and Crown Jewels but I found some areas difficult to navigate and had to ask a member of staff where to go at one point. Another thing that annoyed me was the number of ways for those who run the castle to make (even more) money once you're in there. I saw a couple of tea rooms, a whisky shop and two gift shops! I did enjoy my walk around this awesome, eerie and historic attraction but unless they bring the prices down or decide to crown me Queen Ellie B, I very much doubt I'll be returning. read more
10/07/2014: Edinburgh Castle was day one of my first trip to Scotland. Walking up the Royal Mile looking in all of the tat shop windows your eyes can't help but be drawn to the magnificent castle perched at the top of the hill. We walked up through the entrance across the draw bridge, paid for our entry which was 16 quid per adult. An American girl in a land with so much history I was in complete awe. I'm not sure how long we wandered around gawking at the well built and long lasting castle but I had to see every nook and cranny. The Great Hall fit its name. It was massive and the woodwork was and weapons were awesome. The National War Museum was filled with tributes to the fallen men of Scotland over the centuries. I had to stop to read each and every crest and the names listed. The Scottish Crown Jewels were so intricate and lovely. I only wish we had arrived on the Royal Mile to hear the 1 o'clock gun. The walk was an not a hard one at all but there were a few steep areas around the castle grounds. The views are picture perfect. If you're a history lover as I am you will want to take in this sight. read more
What makes Edinburgh one of the most unique cities in the world is the Edinburgh Castle. Sure there are a lot of castle throughout the world but this one sits in the middle of the city, high on a hill, looking down on you no matter if you are a tourist, a business traveler or a local. It is always there in the background to remind you that you are in Edinburgh. read more
I'm a history nut, so I might be a bit biased in this review but hear me out. This castle has everything. Plenty of space, things to read, look at, take pictures of and plenty of walking to make even a runners feet hurt. Be wary, tickets are $17 (not dollars though I don't have the British pound symbol) but it is well worth it. You can spend easily 2 hours there. There is plenty of stuff to read as well. The history of the military in Scotland is incredible and you can see the pride in all the monuments and exhibits. It can be crowded (like it was today; tourist season) but it is still well worth the $17. It is something you will never forget. read more
So much to see and do here. It is a little expensive, it cost us £33 for two adults but we literally spent 5+ hours here so give yourself plenty of time. They have a tourist information centre so you can pick up useful information on other attractions while on site. We had to queue about 10 minutes to get our tickets so perhaps it's better to buy online. I think you get an online discount too. No student discount here though. The castle has a national war museum, a whiskey shop, a dog cemetery, a chapel, a church, a tower housing the crown jewels, gift shops, two restaurants although the one we visited (Redhouse café) was a 1 star joint as well as plenty of ancient nooks and crannies to explore. It was fantastic learning about the history of the place, and to stand in buildings built as far back as the 14th century. If you visit before 1pm you get to experience the canon going off, at 1pm every day. Great views across the city too. The approach up to the castle is full of fun attractions and shops too. Camera Obscura looked like fun, they have huge mirrors outside that are fun to play around with but we didn't have time to go inside. There are various buskers outside, my favourite was the guy playing bag pipes. Great vibe. read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
This was easily my favorite tourist spot in Edinburgh and the Old City. There were lots of beautiful sections that showed what happened in each area. The views were also incredible. I climbed the equivalent of 80 flights of stairs to get to the castle. You can see the entire city from all directions. It's just stunning. read more
3 years ago
16 years ago
So, having two sets of visitors coming two weekends in a row, I had the chance to visit first Stirling and then Edinburgh Castle. And you know, I am going to slightly downgrade Edinburgh. It has the advantage of being in a richly historical city that would be worth a visit even without the castle. The castle itself also deeply impressive from afar, looming up from a dramatic cliffside (of course, that was just good strategy back in the day). But...once inside, all that big bold castley-ness doesn't quite live up to its promise. The Crown Jewels room is an interminable labyrinth of rooms with creepy mannequins. When you finally get to the crown jewels they are just meh, although the seat of destiny is pretty excellent just because of its storied past. The whole place is a bit disney-esque and commercial. A few things do stand out. The views are spectacular. St. Margaret's chapel resonates with 900 years of history. There are no fussy mannequins in there, just a real sense of place in this modest, contemplative room. And the Royal Apartments are pretty interesting. All that being said--what are you going to do, NOT go to Edinburgh Castle? Don't be daft. Like the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you have to visit the city's signature landmark before you can do anything else. And combined with the Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Holyood and Arthur's Seat, this does make for part of a very historical and beautiful day out. read more
5 years ago
Going to Edinburgh Castle is a must in the most MAJESTIC city in the world! The Castle looms on top of the elevated Royal Mile overlooking the "Rome of the North." I purchased the audio guide and soon became so engrossed with the history I lost track of my friends while going around to different posts and listening to my headset. I was a little surprised that the Castle was more "museum-like" than "Castle-like" inside. I saw everything I wanted to after a few hours and at that point I didn't think my brain capable of retaining anymore knowledge. There are many interesting exhibits including The Stone of Destiny, royal jewels, stately architecture, historical uniforms and more inside! I especially liked the P.O.W part of the castle. I thought it was fascinating that during the American Revolutionary War, Americans were actually held *at* Edinburgh Castle as prisoners of war! Sadly, when the war was over the Americans were not released, like the French, because America was *not* recognized as a real country. The American prisoners were considered "rebels" or "pirates" and because of this they also received less food rations. Poor American revolutionaries :( But it was really cool seeing engravings on the wooden doors or the stonewalls from the P.O.W.'s. They even had a little exhibit with all the artwork and crafts the American prisoners made to bide their time and earn some money. I never would have thought you could make jewelry boxes out of some of the sparse materials they had. Apparently, one day during the week the prisoners were able to go to the outer gate and people from the city would buy their goods! Fascinating! The War Memorial was also breathtaking! It was one of the few places inside where photography is not allowed but the sculpture of the Angel Michael was amazing! After your tour you will need a nap from the overload of visual stimulation and maybe a trip down the Royal Mile to the infamous Chocolate Soup for some decadent chocolate delights! read more
8 years ago
GO! Do not miss this historic castle nor the history lesson you get when you visit! Look for St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest standing structure which is dedicated to Queen Margaret who lived in the Castle in the late 1000. If you are planning a small wedding, you can get married here and if your name is Margaret, it's free. Learn about the world's most famous medieval gun (cannon) that was considered "cutting edge" technology. This cannon was pulled by horses on a cart and could only move a max of 9 miles a day. Witness Mons Meg damage from her final firing. Check out the cemetery for military dogs, a prison built in 1842 and why prison was not considered punishment in the Middle Ages. The Scottish National War Memorial very moving. Marvel at the crown jewels. Learn the history about the "ugly" stone of destiny and it's purpose and journey it will take upon HRH Queen Elizabeth passing. So much to see. Plan 2-3 hours. read more
It's like they say...when in Edinburgh, go to Edinburgh Castle. Do they say that? Well when in Scotland, we definitely needed to see a castle. I was in shock though with the entrance cost. I thought the grounds were very pretty but definitely not worth the cost. At least not worth it for me. It may have been nice if it was with a tour guide who was informative about the history of the castle. Looking back, I would have gone with Sandeman's tours into the castle. I did really enjoy the view of the city from the castle though. read more
Really worth a visit - there are some fabulous views from the top! The cafes and shops are good and the memorial room is very interesting. My favourite part was the prisoners section. It's really easy to walk to and you can spend a good half day here. Well worth a visit if you're in the area! read more
I loved this place. Such an amazing complex. It was incredible. We got the see the Scottish Crown jewels and the different building where they housed different things. I didn't know that they had American prisoners from the revolutionary war housed here, very interesting. The property is beautiful and you can see the city from the top, breathtaking. read more
14 years ago
Having visited well over 30 castles during my time spent in Japan, I was anxious to see my first European castle when I was visiting Scotland. I had heard many good things about it, and much like the city as a whole, I wasnt disappointed. The castle is a short walk from Waverly Station (approximately 5 hours from London via train). The city itself is very easy to navigate, and I definitely recommened seeing everything on foot. There are two paths that I know of to reach the castle--Id say that it is far easier to use the main road rather than wind around the side of the hill. I did the latter and it was a decent leg workout with a heavy backpack. The cost of admission was a bit of a disappointment. Compared to Japanese castles which are often free (some charge only to enter the main keep), I found Edinburgh Castle to be pricey. However, the process was made fairly simple with online ticket purchase. You can bring your confirmation number to a ticket machine which will print the tickets for you. The grounds are impressive. The castle sits on Castle Rock overlooking all the major points of the city. You can enter several buildings which essentially serve as museums. Of course, the architecture is fascinating--it is a great place for photography. My suggestion would be to avoid peak time, however. I went during the early part of July on a weekend and it was wall to wall people. Pros: Oustanding original castle, beautiful views, iconic piece of Scottish history, easily accessed from Waverly on foot Cons: Can get crowded, a little pricey for admission read more
We DID NOT go in. However, we did view the castle from all around the city and even walked up to the gates right before admission (we thought it was a little expensive). I don't regret not going in at all. You can get great pictures of the castle from many different places as you just walk around Edinburgh. Also, we didn't have to deal with the mess of hundreds (thousands?) of people milling about. There were so many people outside that I couldn't imagine dealing with it on the inside of the castle. If you're very interested in the items and history that you'll see inside the castle, then by all means enjoy! If not, then enjoy the views from all around! read more
8 years ago
Great place to visit when in Edinburgh. Located at the end (or beginning depending on how you look at) of the Royal Mile perched way up a high hill. You'll explore the grounds while going from museum to museum. Only let down was the Crown Jewels which was a super crowded assembly line of tourists to look at a crown. Other than that, I loved this attraction. Weather permitting (which is rare) you'll be treated to amazing views of the city from the hill. It is over crowded and a bit pricy at £18.50 but if you buy in advance on line it's £17 but the whole experience is worth it. Recommended. read more
7 years ago
10 years ago
We had such an awesome stay at Edinburgh castle! The view was overwhelming and imposing. Seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels was nice as well. In my opinion the price is a bit too much. Stirling and Edinburgh castle seem to be a bit expensive - due to there a more good and nice castles to see around the city. Nevertheless it's a must see attraction when you visit Edinburgh . read more
5 years ago
It's a nice place to visit but way too much refurbished, it looses the essence of how does the castle looks like in the past, not many attractions apart of the canon shot at 13:00, the war museum, the crown and sward, and some other small things. Cost/benefit is not worth visiting read more
5 years ago
What a show! I conveniently decided to visit the Castle on the day of Prince Phillip´s 95th Birthday. How do they honor the Queen´s husband on his special day? With a 21 gun salute and a marching band of course! What an impressive display of British showmanship! I decided to go with the guided audio tour but zoned out on a lot of it and then forgot where I was on the numbers. It was only around 3 pounds though so not that big of a waste. I did learn some things! Probably the best vantage point of all of Edinburgh from up at the top of the Castle. Great photo opportunities. The line for the crown jewels was way too long! Kind of a let down compared to seeing the ones in the Tower of London. But hey you kind of have to go see them and wait in the line to get your money´s worth out of the 16 pound ticket price. I alloted around 3 hours for this activity. I used some of that time to stop off into the tea room and enjoy their nice tea service for my afternoon meal. It was yummy and a relaxing and classy experience. It added to the overall effect of feeling like royalty during my visit that day. A must when in Edinburgh! Wander around and see what you may find. read more
I stayed in Edinburgh for three days before heading to St. Andrews and the Edinburgh Castle was definitely one of the highlights. I did not opt for the guided tour and I feel like there was plenty of details and guidance without the tour. I did spend several hours there and some of my favorites were the Crown Jewels, the dungeons where the prisoners were kept and the artifacts from that era. There were actual doors and walls that had the writing and carving on them from when the prisoners were kept there. The bread ovens and massive rooms with old fireplaces gave you a feeling of how it might have been. The weapons and cannons were impressive and they had an area where the tourists could "joust" in the courtyard. I visited the restaurant "The Red Coat Cafe" and had a wonderful lunch with potato soup and soda bread and of course a special Edinburgh beer. The Castle is located at the end of the royal mile and is a must see while visiting Scotland! read more
5 years ago
A must do when visiting Edinburg. You must make a reservation and if you can try to bring an umbrella just in case it rains. In the Winter it seems to rain very often here in Scotland. read more
Review #1200 is dedicated to one of the most amazing experiences of my lifetime: our wanders through the Edinburgh Castle. Where do I start... It's foreboding. One of the oldest castles in the UK. Vast, tough, but also beautiful and revered. The Latin sign at the entrance basically says "mess with us, and you mess with the whole clanship." It has survived many kings and queens, total destruction and rebuilding, and countless other unsuccessful attacks from enemies. The tour includes a close view of the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the Stone of Destiny, upon which all kings and queens of England and Scotland are crowned. The room in which Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the later King James was impressive in its smallness; a tiny room off the royal apartments, intricately designed. St. Margaret's chapel was a touching tribute. The cemetery for dogs was also very sweet. "Scamp" was surely worthy of the honor bestowed by Queen Victoria. So much more to describe, and I can't wait to return someday, to learn more about it. read more
A MUST SEE! Without a doubt a must see in Edinburgh! A lovely landmark with so much history. If you got the time make sure to go through the crown jewel exhibition, where the history about the crown, spectre & sword is told in a visual way! Bring your camera and go on a day with a clear sky, you get an amazing view of the city! In winter time I would make sure to be up there when the sun sets. Tip: Prepay your ticket! read more
Even if you don't go up and visit the castle (as I think its about 25 quid to get in) its such a spectacular castle that is very helpful if lost in edinburgh but also beautiful. My favourite point at attending the castle is definitely when the Edinburgh Military Tattoo Parade is on, as the castle gets lit up with fireworks and visual effects displays. Also Hogmany on New Years eve and generally at least once a month there will be fireworks shooting off it. Definitely recommend heading up here, but best views are from princes st! Also a tip - St Andrews day all historic sites are free to enter. So you can go in for free! Also 1pm every day except sunday they shoot the canon off! read more
12 years ago
I've been to Edinburgh Castle before but both visits were about ten years ago and after visiting again it seems I'd forgotten much of it! The walk up to the castle is a bit of a hike but it's worth it for the views out over Edinburgh alone. As you walk through the gate it's quite clear you're walking into a real castle, the type castles in Vegas are modelled off. And it's certainly not small. It's honestly like it's own little village in there with lots of buildings and shops. The part where the Royals lived was actually quite small in comparison to the grounds but it's great to be able to see their apartments and grand hall and of course the crown jewels. It does get very busy in the Crown jewel exhibition though and often that means you're pushed along without being able to read the exhibits. The views as I said are very impressive, it's great to be able to see real guns and canons that were used. Unfortunately we visited on a Sunday, the only day the 1pm gun is not fired! There's a good whisky shop there with free tastings and there are lots of museums too - war museum, barracks museum etc. You could easily spend 3 hours wandering around the grounds checking everything out. The most interesting part in my opinion was the prisoner of war exhibition. As I'd been twice previously we were undecided whether to go and check it out but my other half had never been before so we decided to give it a look and I'm so glad we did. It really is an Edinburgh must do! read more
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