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Edinburgh Castle and its collection

Edinburgh Castle
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This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret’s Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. Edinburgh Castle features exhibits related to Weapons and War. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include: The Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, The National War Museum of Scotland, The Stone of Destiny, The One o’ Clock Gun and Mons Meg.

History & Anthropology History & Anthropology Castle War Historic house Medieval art & Early Renaissance art Religion

Visitor information Edinburgh Castle

Opening hours

Ticket prices vary. Please check the website.

Admission

7 – 15£14.50
16 – 64£24.00
65+£19.00
Family (1 adult, 2 children)£47.50
Family (2 adults, 2 children)£69.50
Family (2 adults, 3 children)£82.00
Unemployed£19.00

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission prices are subject to change.

Facilities

Wheelchair accessible

Location & Map

, Edinburgh

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Exhibitions

No exhibitions in Edinburgh Castle have been found.

Edinburgh Castle Reviews

Edinburgh Castle has 4 ratings.

  • Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

    Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress dominating the skyline of Scotland's capital city. Visitors consistently praise its imposing architecture and rich history. The castle offers panoramic views of Edinburgh, which many find breathtaking. Exhibits inside the castle, including the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny, are generally well-received for their historical significance. The One O'Clock Gun and the National War Museum are often mentioned as interesting features. However, some visitors note that it can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, which may impact the experience. A few reviewers mention that the entry fee is somewhat high, though many feel it's justified given the extent of the site. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held on the castle esplanade, is frequently highlighted as a spectacular event. While most find the staff knowledgeable and helpful, a small number of reviews mention occasional brusqueness. Overall, Edinburgh Castle is widely regarded as a cornerstone of any visit to Edinburgh, offering a comprehensive look into Scottish history and culture.

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  • B
    Bernard • Mar 22, 2025

    An exceptional experience. We took a guided tour with Sammantha. It was really informative and well prepared. Well done Sammantha and well done Edinburgh Castle. Coming from a country full of history we were impressed by the richness of Edinburgh Castle. We will visit again for sure!

    Visited on Mar 22, 2025

  • M
    Mat • Feb 2, 2024

    Edinburgh castle is up castlehill. You can stand outside the castle esplanade and look at the views from here. But to go in the castle itself it's quite expensive at £20 odd pounds for entry. If you get there before one o clock you will get to see the 1 o clock fired. Then you are able to walk about most of the castle but some parts are unaccessible due to it being a working army camp in parts.

  • Anne
    Anne • Mar 19, 2019

    We visited Edinburgh for a long weekend and the Edinburgh Castle was one of our favourite places. At £18.50 it was quite expensive but there was so much to see and do that we spent over 4 hours here and didn’t even see everything! The audio guide for this castle was nice as it allowed us to navigate at our own pace. There are also great views of Edinburgh and if you visit, please don't forget to be around for the gun at 1!

  • Aggregated rating

    This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.

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