Edinburgh Castle

PlanetWare.com > Europe > Scotland > Lothian Region, Scotland > Edinburgh > Old Town

Hotels

Description

Dominating the inner city is the most popular national monument in Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is situated on a black basalt rock and affords a magnificent view of the city. A drawbridge leads over a dried-out moat from the broad Esplanade where the famous Military Tattoo is held every August. The main entrance to the castle is flanked by bronze statues of William Wallace (ca. 1270-1305), who led the Scottish resistance against Edward I and was later executed in London, and of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's national hero who defeated the English under Edward II at Bannockburn.

Hobbies & Activities category: Castle, chateau, palace; Scenic site or route; Standalone sculpture, statue or fountain

Attractions within Edinburgh Castle

Argyll's Tower

The portcullis gate is situated beneath the state prison, better known as Argyll's Tower as the Marquis of Argyll was imprisoned there. The highest point on Castle Rock (443ft/135m above sea level) is called the citadel or King's Bastion.

Crown Square Scottish National War Memorial

Few visitors will fail to be impressed by the Scottish National War Memorial which is situated on the north side of Crown Square. Robert Lorimer was responsible for designing the Hall of Honor in

... More >

French Prisons

During the Napoleonic wars, French prisoners were interned under the Great Hall. Although boring, the captives' lives seem to have been reasonably tolerable as they were allowed to while away their

... More >

Great Hall

Built at the beginning of the 16th C, the Great Hall at the south side of Crown Square was the meeting place for the Scottish parliament until 1640. Later it was used as a barracks and a military

... More >

Mons Meg Cannon

Despite a whole range of other cannons, it is "Mons Meg" which attracts most attention. Manufactured in Mons, Flanders, in 1449, it was presented to James II by the Duke of Burgundy. Some 110lb/5

... More >

National War Museum of Scotland (formerly Scottish United Services Museum)

On the west side of Crown Square, a military museum founded in 1931 displays uniforms, weapons and other memorabilia from the Scottish regiments.

One O'Clock Salute

A time cannon is situated near the Half Moon Battery. It is fired at 1 p.m. every weekday. At the same time, a time ball drops at the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill. This tradition dates from a

... More >

Royal Palace

Among the rooms within the Royal Palace is the chamber where Mary Stuart gave birth to her son James VI, later to become James I of England. For centuries the palace was the repository for state

... More >

St Margaret's Chapel

St Margaret's Chapel was built around 1090 and is probably the oldest building in Edinburgh. Despite its size - only 17ft/5.2m long and 11ft/3.4m wide - it is an interesting example of early Norman

... More >

Do-It-Yourself Tours

Address

Edinburgh Castle
Castle Hill
Edinburgh EH1 2NG
United Kingdom

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/properties_sites_detail?propertyID=PL_121

Hours

April 1 to October 31

Open	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30
Closed	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00

November 1 to March 31

Open	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	9:30	12:00
Closed	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00

Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1) Bank Holiday - Scotland (January 2) Christmas - Christian (December 25) Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)