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    Edinburgh Castle

    4.4 (618 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Edinburgh Castle Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Edinburgh Castle

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    Janet D.

    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.

    Edinburgh Castle Map
    Karen V.

    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.

    Jeff N.

    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.

    Michael F.

    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!

    Daren R.

    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.

    Scottish National War Memorial.  No photos allowed inside.
    Doug L.

    I booked our guided tour tickets online to secure our spot for the tour. When we arrived we informed the staff that we had the Historic Scotland membership and we were brought to a separate and much shorter entrance line! The tour ran about 45 minutes and our guide was friendly and informative throughout. The tour brought us outside the main walls and then back inside. We later explored many of the buildings that the tour could not cover like St Margaret's chapel, Crown Jewels, War Memorial, prison and museums. We were surprised that we spent almost three hours here but there were just so many places to see along with the panoramic views of Edinburgh.

    Juvi G.

    As far as tourist attractions go, you can rarely go wrong with a good old castle. Scotland may be rife with them, but this one is the closest to the rest of the hot spots in the city, so it's your best-bet for a family-friendly afternoon; that is, if the 20-odd pounds it takes to get in isn't a deterrent. I wish I could say it was super authentic, and while it IS an actual castle, it feels more like a museum than anything. There is plenty to see and do inside, but it's not the most riveting experience I've had here. The gift shops are surprisingly affordable, as far as souvenirs go, and I found a bit of everything I could possibly want to take home with me. They also have two cafés, one of which is a tea room, and the other more of an eating hall. The food does get a bit pricey, though. A sweet treat I discovered during my wanderings was a old-fashioned apothecary presentation in the Great Hall, featuring a darn-good actor willing to improvise and play with the crowd. The best part is probably the views - which are amazing - so bring those cameras, and take those Instagram-worthy winners.

    Melissa S.

    Such an experience! See how the town started and was defended. Great history and the tour is worth your money.

    Laura R.

    Walked all the way to the top of the hill where the castle sat unobstructed. The Scottish castle is not lived in by a family although is occupied by the Scottish military. The view surrounding the castle is amazing which is evident by the pics. It's free to roam the front of the castle but will cost you a few bucks if you want a limited tour of the inside.

    Howard L.

    Edinburgh Castle is deservedly the most popular paid tourist attraction in all of Scotland.  It's an imposing and impressive site and is a historic castle/fortress that sits atop volcanic Castle Rock.  It's naturally at the center of Edinburgh and at the top of the Royal Mile and at the west end of Edinburgh's Old Town.  Just some of the main features here include the housing of the Scottish crown jewels in the Royal Palace, the National War Museum, the Half Moon Battery of cannons, the gigantic Mons Meg cannon, the Great Hall, the Crown Square or courtyard, the military quarters, the historic 12th century St Margaret's chapel (and Edinburgh's oldest building), and the great vantage point of panoramic city views.  We were very lucky to get our morning visit in as well as enjoy the scenic city views from up here before the remnants of Tropical Storm Amy hit the area after our visit.  Rain or shine, Edinburgh Castle is a must-see 5 star attraction.

    Fancypants X.

    Edinburgh Castle, one of the city's most iconic structures, can be seen from a distance perched atop Castle Hill. Once a fortress & royal residence, the Castle is an active military base today. It is also home to the nation's Crown Jewels, the National War Museum of Scotland, St. Margaret's Chapel, & the Great Hall which displays armors and swords. The long lines to enter these rooms moved at a decent clip. Not to be missed is the the firing of the One O' Clock Gun (at, you guessed it, 1pm.) It's a practice that started in 1861 to signal the time to surrounding ships. Before leaving Edinburgh Castle, we stopped by their cafe (which boasts mind-blowing views) & tried Irn-Bru for the first time. Considered Scotland's "other national drink," Irn-Bru is a bright orange fizzy drink whose flavor is the subject of heated debates. It tasted like bubblegum to me but I've heard cream soda, banana, orange, & mixed fruit! Scandalous! Seeing the 900-year old castle on the hill where kings & queens once lived is priority #1 for most visitors; purchase timed-entry tickets online in advance (£19.50 per person) to avoid the disappointment of sold-out time slots.

    Kristin H.

    Incredible, one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland! This is an absolutely beautiful castle in a beautiful setting. We paid extra for the guided tour, which was completely worth it. We enjoyed everything about the tour, from the incredible history to the views.

    Part of this enormous castle
    Dan C.

    Another amazing Scottish castle overlooking Edinburgh. Parts of it date from the 1100s. God bless 'em they provided motorized transport and a wheelchair for my mobility challenged sister. Centuries of Scottish history and amazing views. One of the highlights of the trip.

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    Page 3 of 16

    Edinburgh Castle Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Edinburgh Castle

    The castle features the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny (a symbol of Scottish kingship), St.

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    National Museum of Scotland - The very famous Lewis chess pieces.  This is such a cool artifact, especially if you're a chess player as I am.

    National Museum of Scotland

    4.6(252 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town

    Free entry at the National Museum of Scotland. Filled with rich history and interactive booths…read more There is a cafe with grab and go options and a gift shop too. The best photo op is the third floor balcony overlooking the atrium! Such a gorgeous spot and great option to get out of the rainy weather!

    It's the museum on Chambers Street. The entrance is in the round tower that is across the street…read morefrom Greyfriars Bobby. You might as well rub his nose for good luck before crossing over. There is a beautiful & bright atrium in the heart of the museum. You can see all 4 floors from this spot as you look up from the first floor. There are galleries and exhibits all around it. We started our journey on the ground floor of the tower in the Kingdom of the Scots, and then worked our way up and over. It truly is the perfect place to go on a rainy morning. The best part is that it's free admission, but donations are always welcomed. There were many highlights for me. The Maiden that was used for public executions in Grassmarket, Mercat Cross, and Castlehill was certainly eerie to look at along with some of the torture devices used back in that period. The display of items belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots was presented beautifully. Especially that lovely jeweled necklace. The exhibits of the Americas was nicely done. I even saw a gut parka on display that was similar to one we saw in Alaska earlier this year. The displays of musical instruments and ceremonial dance costumes was vibrant & interesting. I was drawn to the Bloody Empire display. It was a very artistic expression of anarchism in the form of wallpaper. It's unique. I have to say the same thing about the Slit Gong musical instrument that is said to bring out the voices of a dead ancestor. Very creepy stuff! The subject matter lightened up a bit as we walked through the technology & industry part of the museum. It was cool to see "The Hawk" as well as the display of bicycles and phones (including a Mickey Mouse one). But, I think the best part was the spectacular view of Edinburgh from the open rooftop. It would have been better on a sunny day, but it was still a great sight to see. It's worth taking those outdoor spiral steps up to see it. I love that there's a mini garden with upland grasses and plants along the lookout walls of the roof. A nice little touch. We spent about 2 hours here, but could have easily stayed longer. There's a balcony café on what is technically the 3rd floor of the building (2nd floor when looking up from the main atrium). There is a fee-based exhibit called "Monkeys Our Primate Family" that may be of interest to some. It ends on 30 Nov 2025. Overall, the museum is great fun for all ages. It's a great way to learn more about the Scottish innovators throughout history.

    Photos
    National Museum of Scotland - Oct 2025.

    Oct 2025.

    National Museum of Scotland - Humankind in EDINBURGH

    Humankind in EDINBURGH

    National Museum of Scotland - Great layouts

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    Great layouts

    Surgeons' Hall Museums

    Surgeons' Hall Museums

    4.8(36 reviews)
    0.5 miNewington

    The most unique museum I have ever been to. Beware...this is Not for the squeamish…read more Surgeons' Hall Museums is an award winning Museum that is home to one of the largest and most historic pathology collections in England. It showcases the history of surgery and is so different from anything you have ever seen. I'm not in healthcare, I don't like anything that has to do with disease, yet, I couldn't stop looking. I was so intrigued. There was room after room of jars with body parts and showcases of how they see certain diseases. I couldn't stop looking. Venture up to the top floor to see the robotics and AI surgery exhibit....so interesting. to see the wave of the future. No photos allowed but it is worth the $10 entry fee.

    I wasn't sure what to expect when we came here today but I've never seen anything like this museum…read morein my life! The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505 and was originally used as a teaching museum for students of medicine. Its vast collection opened to the public in 1832. Here you will learn about the history of surgeries- how the medical field started and where it is headed. It was also fascinating to learn about William Burke and William Hare who murdered sixteen people in 1828 and sold the corpses to Robert Knox for dissection at his anatomy lectures. And I've never seen so many bones and organs on display! Many of the specimens show the results of certain diseases or injuries. Plus there are many historical surgical instruments, paintings and illustrations on display. There is also a section on medical advances like robot-assisted surgeries- something I have benefited from. No pictures are allowed so you'll have to come see it all for yourselves!

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    Surgeons' Hall Museums
    Surgeons' Hall Museums
    Surgeons' Hall Museums

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    National Gallery of Scotland - National Galleries of Scotland_Yelp_Sanju-3

    National Gallery of Scotland

    4.9(29 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town

    Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery is a small but delightful museum…read more While Scottish artists are the main focus, the National Gallery also houses works of art from famous European artists. All of Edinburgh's publicly owned museums and galleries offer free entry to their permanent collections, and National Galleries Scotland manage five buildings which provide access to a fantastic array of artworks. In the very heart of Edinburgh, on the Mound, which connects both Old and New Town, is the original National Gallery of Scotland itself, alongside its sister gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy building. Inside the building is a sumptuous series of open spaces with works by some of the world's greatest classic artists on display, alongside iconic works by Scottish painters. Artists like Rembrandt and Van Dyck are represented alongside Monet, Reubens and Titian, as well as British painters like Constable and Turner. One iconic picture which is often considered a definitively Scottish work is Edwin Landseer's Monarch of the Glen, featuring a majestic stag in front of a Scottish Highland backdrop.

    Superb gallery in Edinburgh - well worth the visit…read more We stopped by on our third morning and had a wonderful time. This is not a massive (aka tiring) place, but it has excellent representation of Masters (Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian), and even a specially designed octagonal room dedicated to Nicolas Poussin's Seven Sacraments (1644-1648) - considered one of the greatest sets of paintings in the history of Western art. But my favorites pieces were by lesser known English, Scottish and Italian artists - such as Monarch of the Glen, Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, and The Campbell Sisters. They have a small cafe which we visited when we needed a little coffee and cookie break, and the staff were very helpful and gracious. Would be happy to return.

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    National Gallery of Scotland - National Galleries of Scotland_Yelp_Sanju-8

    National Galleries of Scotland_Yelp_Sanju-8

    National Gallery of Scotland - Turner paintings.

    Turner paintings.

    National Gallery of Scotland - Nicolas Poussin's Sacraments (1644-1648) - considered one of the greatest sets of painting in the history of Western art. 4-7

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    Nicolas Poussin's Sacraments (1644-1648) - considered one of the greatest sets of painting in the history of Western art. 4-7

    Anatomical Museum - Elephant skeleton is so neat!

    Anatomical Museum

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Anatomical Museum is based in the Medical School of University of Edinburgh. It is open to public…read morelast Saturday of each month between 10am and 4pm. One of the highlights is William Burke's skeleton. Yes, Burke as in Burke and Hare, the pair who sold the corpses of their victims for medical dissection. After they were caught, Hare testified against Burke, Burke was hanged, Hare was released and disappeared. There is something ironic about the fact that Burke's skeleton ended up on display in the museum. There are skeletons and skulls of many different species on display. The most impressive ones are the elephant skeletons in the entrance. You can also enter into an anatomy lecture theatre, which I believe is still in use. I haven't been to Surgeons' Hall Museum, but I suspect that these two museums are similar. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Anatomical Museum. I didn't have a problem with the skeletons and bones, but walked past the displays of dissections rather fast:) It is not a big museum. So you can combine a visit there on a Saturday morning with lunch or some other activity outside.

    The Anatomical Museum is a bit hard to find, but is open to the public on the last Saturday of the…read moremonth. Just give yourself a minute to find it. One if the photos I included here is of the old set up which is a bit more theatrical than the current, but I suppose less practical. The other photo is a pano view of the downstairs doorway where the elephants stand today. Photos are not allowed upstairs. The museum has animal skeletons as well as a few notable human forms including the last man who was sentenced to be executed and given to the medical school, and William Burke for which the museum is probably best known. I would not suggest bringing young children as the specimens are fragile and many are not behind glass. There are also some which may be too much for sensitive visitors, like foetuses in various stages, or a body which had been preserved (embalming possibly? I've forgotten). The museum is free, and definitely an interesting way to spend a few hours. Just one more thing to keep in mind, this is usually closed to the public and is most often a place for students to study the specimens. They will probably be there if you visit and they appreciate being able to ignore you.

    Photos
    Anatomical Museum - The Anatomical Museum. Image by edinburghphotowalks.com

    The Anatomical Museum. Image by edinburghphotowalks.com

    Anatomical Museum
    Anatomical Museum

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    The People's Story Museum - Exterior

    The People's Story Museum

    4.0(17 reviews)
    0.6 miRoyal Mile, Old Town

    Worth a quick visit. The museum presents aspects of Edinburgh's history through the eyes of people…read morewho lived there. The museum is engaging and admission is free.

    Ah to be surrounded by creepy mannequins…read more.. I popped into this place after hopping into Oink for lunch. Because what goes better with pulled pork then a wee bit of history? (answer: a lot of things.) This is no doubt and interesting little museum. It's free to enter and you're welcome to take pictures (obviously), so long as you clear it with the front desk before entering. It's a three story snapshot of how Edinburgh locals lived in the olden days... and the 80's. ... The first floor is a veritable horror shop of Edinburgh during the plague, and definitely take the time to read the information in this little dungeon. It's horrific but incredibly intriguing - an interesting snippet of a tumultuous past. The second and third floors are much of the same - depicting the living conditions and activities of Scottish folk throughout the ages. It is exceptionally interesting stuff. But... (you knew it was coming)... What is a really unique story, gets sort of overshadowed by the abundance of SUPER creepy mannequins. Maybe i've just watched one too many sci-fi flicks, but mannequins give me the hebegebees and the lot that's plunk into this place is a cut above the rest. I would have much preferred to wander about and take in the history of Edinburgh, without having to teeter around plague victims and taxidermy cats. And the 80's mannequins were just downright strange... So it's worth a stop in. It won't take you too long to pop through and if you're made of stronger stuff than myself, i'm sure the plastic people won't be quite so much of a deterrent. But do yourself a favour and actually READ the information... or else you're just walking through a room of creepy fake people and that's wholly a waste of time.

    Photos
    The People's Story Museum - The People's Story Museum.
 Image by www.edinburghphotowalks.com

    The People's Story Museum. Image by www.edinburghphotowalks.com

    The People's Story Museum - The People's Story Museum.
 Image by www.edinburghphotowalks.com

    The People's Story Museum. Image by www.edinburghphotowalks.com

    The People's Story Museum - Windowcleaner

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    Windowcleaner

    The Writers' Museum - Writers Museum, Edinburgh-3

    The Writers' Museum

    3.9(29 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    £

    You can find the Museum tucked away in Lady Stair's Close within the aptly named Lady Stair's…read moreHouse. If not paying attention, you can easily missed the entrance from Royal Mile According to the Museum, the house was built in 1622. Different well-off families lived there until it was given to the city in 1907 for use as a museum. If you visit the Museum, make sure to take the time to appreciate the beautiful house that has its own fascinating history. The museum is dedicated to just three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, and contains books, manuscripts, portraits, and the odd statue, along with information giving insight into each writer's life story In the area devoted to Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) there is a precious first edition of his novel Waverley, a printing press, a chess set, an inkwell, and the rocking horse he used as a child. Yup, same Scott whose memorial is the only the second-largest monument to a writer in the world   The mansion has gone through many renovations since then and has a writerly ambiance to it.

    3.5 stars rounded up…read more Located in an alleyway called Lady Stair's Close, the Writer's Museum is dedicated to the literary works & lives of Scottish authors Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, & Robert Louis Stevenson. Admittedly, my focus was on Stevenson's exhibits, as I'm fascinated by all things pertaining to the "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" author. On display were his earliest published manuscripts, but items not related to his body of work were just as captivating: artifacts from his travels & time living in Samoa, personal belongings like cigarette papers, photographs of his face I had never before seen. What a thrill to get a peek into his world. There are three levels to explore via steep staircases & narrow hallways, though I thought the collection was rather small. Despite this, it's worth a visit; the gift shop has a myriad of must-have things, entrance is free, & I'm all for supporting a museum whose sole purpose is to celebrate writers!

    Photos
    The Writers' Museum - Writers Museum, Edinburgh-9

    Writers Museum, Edinburgh-9

    The Writers' Museum - Writers Museum, Edinburgh-11

    Writers Museum, Edinburgh-11

    The Writers' Museum - Writers Museum, Edinburgh-5

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    Writers Museum, Edinburgh-5

    Royal Mile - The Royal Mile

    Royal Mile

    4.5(153 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town, Royal Mile

    Let this review slip through the cracks but brought it back to life after scrolling through my pics…read moreof Scotland on my phone. Traveling through Scotland it is mandatory to take a stroll in the Royal Mile to see all the historic landmarks and whiskey stores. #1 See the iconic retro red British phone booths with the cool stickers. #2 Take a few pics with the Scottish guy in his kilt playing the bag pipes. #3 walk to the top of the Edinburgh Castle for a 360 degree view of the area. #4 Find the hidden Devil's Advocate Bar and have a cold craft beer. Great experience at the Royal Mile and cant wait to visit here again.

    What's the first thing that pops into your head when you hear Royal Mile.... If you know Edinburgh,…read morethen you know it's here that lies the fame Edinburgh Castle. At the top of the cobble stones sits the majestic castle that's a staple to Scotland. If you haven't been it's great to check it out. Purchase tickets ahead of time as they do sell out and are limited everyday. But if you can't make it, you'll still hear the canons being shot often from up there. The views are amazing from top looking out to the new town and even the waterfront. Plenty of souvenirs shops along the mile. They tend to caters to the holiday makers as locals tends to have their regular spots that they go to. There's loads of restaurants as well as hotels pretty much near the mile. Just over the over side you have old town where more of the gothic building are. To the other end is new town where you'll have the fancier designer shopping as well as the bigger more fancier dining. Plus loads of the bigger upscale hotels are located there. Edinburgh Waverley train station is nearby. It's a staples of Scotland where yearly it brings people. No matter what the wether is like, it'll alway brings holidays makers out to enjoy. During the summer months of August, the streets are line with performers as well as loads of show. That's the month of the Fringe Festival. One of the biggest attractions during the summer. There's also plenty of whiskey tasting which they're known for. Tons of tours that's will actually show you around the area more. Scotland is beautiful and there's loads to see. It's not just green...

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    Royal Mile_Yelp_Sanju-2

    Royal Mile - The Hub

    The Hub

    Royal Mile - Edinburgh royal mile.

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    Edinburgh royal mile.

    Real Mary Kings Close

    Real Mary Kings Close

    4.1(214 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town, Royal Mile

    Real Mary King's Close was one of the most eerie, immersive experiences I had in Edinburgh. It…read moreisn't about Scotland's royalty or power struggles. It's about survival and daily life through really dark times. I took a guided tour with Daisy, and she was absolutely incredible! So knowledgeable, genuinely funny, and her acting and storytelling took you back in time... literally. It never felt scripted or forced, just engaging and real. She was so warm and sweet, which made the experience even better. It's hard to believe she's only 25 given how much depth she brought to the tour.

    Went to the Real May King's Close tour based on a recommendation and didn't really do any research…read more It turned out to be one of the best tours of our 7 day trip thru Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. In case you don't already know, the current Edinburgh city center is built on top of the old city that is several hundred years old. This tour takes you beneath the streets to the old city. You will see the original close with houses and workshops. You will learn how they lived, "meet" other prominent people of that time, and learn about the black plagues. Really cool tour, very informative, and sometimes funny. Please note this tour is NOT for people with mobility issues or concerns. Tours leave on time from the street front store. So, be on time. They can't easily add you to your group if they have already left and gone underground. Highly recommended that you buy your tickets in advance. P.S. Photos are prohibited, and they try to sell you a picture of yourself in the old close on the way out. Tacky, I know, but still worth it.

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    Real Mary Kings Close
    Real Mary Kings Close
    Real Mary Kings Close - Real Mary King's Close tour

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    Real Mary King's Close tour

    Greyfriars Bobby - Selfying with the statue while touching nose for good luck.

    Greyfriars Bobby

    4.3(94 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town

    Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Located just in front of…read morethe entrance to the Greyfriars Kirk can be found the bronze statue of Bobby. Hundreds of fans flock here every day to pay their respects, all eager to get a closer look at their doggy hero. History and why it is famous- and trust me guys, he is inthe same league as Hachi- Bobby, born in 1856, was a Terrier who spent over 14 years guarding the grave of his beloved owner. John - a dedicated nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police Force - carried out his duties with his trusty companion night after night. After John's untimely death in 1858, Bobby refused to leave his master's grave until the day he died himself. The rumours about this little dog began to spread far and wide, and Bobby soon had quite the fan base. In 1867, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presented him with his very own collar. This gesture signified that Bobby was a licensed dog, meaning that he was protected against the new law that had recently been enforced, which stated that all unlicensed dogs would be destroyed. Bobby passed away in January 1872, and as a final token of his loyalty, was buried close to his master in the Kirkyard. A granite fountain with a statue can be found opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard - a permanent memorial to this faithful pup. Bobby's grave can be found immediately inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. He was buried close to his much-loved John, ensuring that the pair's astonishing bond would never be broken. It is not uncommon for doting visitors to leave sticks, dog toys, and flowers on his grave.

    It's the statue of a cute Skye Terrier named Bobby. A loyal dog who is said to have stayed at…read moreGreyfriars Kirkyard near his master's grave for 14 years until his death in 1872. He lived to be 16 years old with the help of the community who knew his master, John Gray. Bobby was buried in the courtyard entrance of the kirkyard near his grave. This statue is on Candlemaker Row across the street from Greyfriars Bobby Bar (named after this special little doggie). People continue to rub his nose for good luck. As you can see, the paint has rubbed off his nose. It's still a nice statue and tribute. We just happened to see it on our way to the National Museum of Scotland. It was a great little discovery.

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    Greyfriars Bobby Statue_Yelp_Sanju-8

    Greyfriars Bobby - Statue by Bobby's grave

    Statue by Bobby's grave

    Greyfriars Bobby - Touchy the nosey.

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    Touchy the nosey.

    Edinburgh Castle - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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