Scottish Medieval Castles: Edinburgh Castle
12th Century
Open to Visitors

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress on the Castle Rock in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. While archaeologists have established human occupation of the rock since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD), the nature of the early settlement is unclear.

The site, one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, was a royal castle since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and continued at times to be a royal residence until 1633. By the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks.

Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite rising of 1745. Its 26 sieges in 1100 years give it a claim to having been “the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world“.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

Facilities

Giftshops
Exhibitions
Bike Access
Restrooms
Carpark (Paid)
Cafes / Restaurants
Accessibility
A late-16th-century depiction of Edinburgh castle
A late-16th-century depiction of the castle, from Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates orbis terrarum, showing David's Tower at the centre. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
The Portcullis Gate in Edinburgh Castle.
The Portcullis Gate in Edinburgh Castle. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Plan of Edinburgh Castle.
Plan of Edinburgh Castle. Key: A Esplanade · B Gatehouse · C Ticket office · D Portcullis Gate & Argyle Tower · E Argyle Battery · F Mills Mount Battery & One o'Clock Gun · G Cartsheds · H Western Defences · I Hospital · J Butts Battery · K Scottish National War Museum · L Governors House · M New Barracks · N Military Prison · O Royal Scots Museum · P Foog's Gate · Q Reservoirs · R Mons Meg · S Pet Cemetery · T St. Margaret's Chapel · U Half Moon Battery · V Crown Square · W Royal Palace · X Great Hall · Y Queen Anne Building · Z Scottish National War Memorial. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Hours

Summer (1 Apr – 30 Sep): 9.30am to 6pm.

Winter (1 Oct – 31 Mar): 9:30am to 5pm.

Address

Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG

Phone

+44 (0)131 668 8095

Prices

Ticket typeGate priceOnline price
Adult (16-59yrs)£19.50£17.50
Concession (60yrs+ and unemployed)*£16.00£14.00
Child (5-15yrs)£11.50£10.50

Location

Edinburgh Castle Gifts

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