Edinburgh Castle

Overview

Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most iconic landmark, a dramatic fortress perched atop an ancient volcanic rock that has dominated the city's skyline for over 900 years. It served as a royal residence, military garrison, and prison throughout its turbulent history.

Highlights

• The Stone of Destiny: The sacred coronation stone returned to Scotland in 1996 after 700 years in Westminster Abbey, now displayed alongside the Scottish Crown Jewels.
• Mons Meg: A massive medieval siege cannon dating to 1449, weighing over 6 tonnes, with a barrel wide enough to fire stones the size of small boulders.
• St Margaret's Chapel: The oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, a tiny Romanesque chapel dating to around 1130, still used for weddings.

History

The Castle Rock has been occupied since at least the Iron Age. The castle itself evolved from the 12th century onward, witnessing countless sieges — it changed hands at least 26 times. It became a military base in the 17th century and remained one until 1923, when custody passed to Historic Scotland.

Visitor Tips

• One O'Clock Gun: Every day except Sunday, a cannon is fired at exactly 1:00 PM — a tradition since 1861 originally used to help ships in the Firth of Forth set their maritime clocks.
• Arrive Early: Queues build rapidly after 10:00 AM, especially in August during the Festival season.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.