Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh)
World famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.
Introduction
A majestic landmark which dominates the capital city's skyline just as it has dominated Scotland's long and colourful history Edinburgh Castle is the best known and most visited of our historic buildings. Home of national treasures including the Honours of Scotland, The Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg, Edinburgh Castle is perched on an extinct volcano and offers stunning views. This instantly recognisable fortress is a powerful national symbol, and part of Edinburgh's World Heritage site.
History to the present day
Archaeologists have found evidence for human occupation of the Castle Rock reaching back to 900 BC, the late Bronze Age. During the Roman occupation of Scotland in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, it was a thriving settlement. In those far-off days they called the place Din Eidyn, ‘the stronghold of Eidyn’. Then came the invading Angles, around AD 638, and ever since then the rock has been known by its English name - Edinburgh.
In the Middle Ages Edinburgh became Scotland’s chief royal castle - seat of royalty, headquarters of the sheriff of Edinburgh, military garrison and storehouse of the royal gun train, and repository of the nation’s crown jewels and state records.
Impressive buildings were constructed, including the 12th-century St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, David’s Tower, built for David II, Robert the Bruce’s son, in the 1370s, and the monumental great hall of James IV, opened in 1511. But the long and bitter Wars of Independence with the ‘auld enemy’, England, took their toll, and the castle endured siege upon siege; Edward I, Edward III and Henry VIII all did their utmost to batter down the walls.
In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in the royal palace within the castle. The tiny bed-closet still survives, a room that has a special significance for Great Britain, for in 1603 James VI became also James I of England - the ‘Union of the Crowns’. The departure of the Scottish court for London saw much of the royal ‘glitter’ go from the castle. Thereafter the stronghold became little more than a garrison fortress and arsenal. The last sovereign to sleep there was Charles I in 1633, prior to his coronation as king of Scots.
The Jacobite siege of 1745, during which Bonnie Prince Charlie held court at Holyrood Palace but could not wrest the castle from the Hanoverian King George II, proved to be the last. Since that time, the ancient fortress has continued to serve as an active army base, but has since found new roles - as a major visitor attraction, as home of the Scottish National War Memorial and two proud Scottish regiments (the Royal Scots and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards), and as host of the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
In 1996 the Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s coronation stone, was placed in the Crown Room alongside the nation’s Crown Jewels (the Honours of Scotland), following its return from Westminster after a space of 800 years. In 1995 the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were inscribed as a World Heritage Site, and the castle remains its most important building.
Food and Drinks
Queen Anne Café: Nestled at the top of Crown Square at the peak of the Castle, the Queen Anne Cafe offers a comfortable and elegant space to dine. Why not unwind after visiting the Castle in this waiter-service café?
The café offers traditional Scottish fayre with an innovative twist, all prepared and produced form the freshest local ingredients in our Castle kitchens. Our selection ranges from light bites such as soup and sandwiches to more hearty meal options, such as our wonderful haggis, neeps and tatties - always recommended with a wee dram!
Queen Anne Café is fully licensed and serves a selection of beers, wines and spirits from around the world, including Hendricks Gin, which is exclusively distilled in Scotland. Speciality coffee and delicious home-baking is available all day as well as an extensive range of premium loose leaf tea, served individually within an infuser teapot.
Main meals are available from 11:30 - 15:00 and we fully cater for vegetarians other dietary requirements.
Redcoat Café: Inspired by the distinctive uniform of the castle guard, the Redcoat Café offers something for everybody. Take the time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views over the City of Edinburgh and across the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife.
Our chefs have created a tempting range of home-baking, deli sandwiches and succulent roasts. For children there is an Edinburgh Castle kids box, which can be filled with a wide variety of healthy foods and fun treats. With teas and coffees and a selection of patisserie delights from our cake counter, you will be spoilt for choice, whether you want a meal or a light snack. A selection of soft drinks, ice creams and confectionary is also available.
Redcoat Café is fully licensed and offers a selection of alcoholic beverages including Innis & Gunn, the locally brewed beer.
Hot food is available from 12:00 – 15:00 and we fully cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements.
Other facilities
Gift shops: Edinburgh Castle’s Retail Shops are stocked with an excellent range of quality products, perfect for gift giving or as a memento of your visit. Located around the castle, each of the Historic Scotland shops has its own character, history and range of speciality and exclusive products.
Families with children: The cafés at the Castle are equipped with seating facilities for babies and provide family-friendly meals. For those with babies, changing facilities are available in the toilets near the entrance of the castle and in the café toilets.
Tours: Complimentary guided tours provided by our stewards are included in the admission price. Subject to weather and availability of staff.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
1 April - 30 September: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 6.00pm
1 October - 31 March: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 5.00pm
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Admission prices:
Adult £12.00 - £14.00
Child £6.50 - £7.50
Concessions £9.20 - £11.20
Address: Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Directions:
By rail: Waverley Station is the main railway station in the Scottish capital. The station is located on the east end of Princes Street and is serviced by most major rail transport providers. The Castle is visible and accessible from its exits. From Princes Street, travel up Waverley Bridge, The Mound, Mound Place, Ramsay Lane to arrive at the Castle esplanade.
Haymarket Station is situated on the west end of Princes Street.
By bus: There is an express bus service from the airport - Airlink 100 - to Edinburgh city centre. The service runs every 10 minutes at peak times in the day and every 30 minutes at night. Tickets cost £3.00 (single) and £5.00 (return) and can be purchased from the information desk at International Arrivals at the airport or on the bus.
The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and terminates at Waverly Bridge, near to the main railway station.
By car: Parking is unavailable at the castle. The nearest city parking zones are located at Castle Terrace and Johnston Terrace.
More photos of Edinburgh Castle
