Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.
About Edinburgh Castle
| Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG | |
| 01312259846 | |
| Edinburgh Castle Website | |
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Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been and inspired by it.
In the 1600s, the castle became a military base. Some buildings were rebuilt and new ones were raised to house a huge garrison - and provide a secure jail for prisoners of war.
The military presence remains unbroken, but over the last 200 years the castle has become a national icon. It is now Scotland's leading tourist attraction, and a key element of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.
Come to the castle and hear the rest of the story.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.
Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Castle
Whispers of the past
Join our guide for a journey through the grounds of this ancient site to explore the veiled past of Edinburgh Castle!
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The Mythical Mystery Hunt
This autumn, follow Historic Environment Scotland's family trails to discover some of the magical and mystical creatures of Scottish folklore.
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Great Big Living History Week
Especially for the October Holidays sites all over Scotland will be hosting characters throughout history including Edinburgh Castle.
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Edin-boo! Castle: Halloween Shenanigans
Some special guests await you in the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle and they have a story to tell!
READ MOREEdinburgh Castle Gun Salutes
Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark a variety of special occasions!
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Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
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Celebrating Burns
Come along to Edinburgh Castle on 25th January to find out more about the bard and some of his works!
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Critical Role Live
For the first time ever, Critical Role, the global phenomenon in storytelling and tabletop entertainment, is adventuring to Edinburgh with a date at the Castle on Sunday 12th July!
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns from 7th to 29th August 2026 with the show 'A Call To Gather'.
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National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle Castlehill,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG
Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.
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More History and Culture in Edinburgh
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery High Street,
Dunbar EH42 1ER
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.
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The Georgian House
7 Charlotte Square,
Edinburgh New Town EH2 4DR
The Georgian House, Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture with its elegant furnished interior, is located at No. 7 Charlotte Square in the centre of Edinburgh!
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Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House Hopetoun,
South Queensferry EH30 9SL
Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland's finest stately home at its heart.
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Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle ,
Blackness EH49 7NH
Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
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John Knox House
43 - 45 High Street,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR
Dating back to 1470 John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history!
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The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate,
Edinburgh East EH8 8DX
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
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Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens Princes Street,
Edinburgh New Town EH2 2HG
Princes Street Gardens lies at centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas.
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Lauriston Castle
2 Cramond Road South,
Edinburgh West EH4 6AD
When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.
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The Real Mary Kings Close
2 Warriston's Close,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG
Edinburgh's deepest secret, the Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath the Royal Mile... a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century!
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Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle ,
Dirleton EH39 5ER
Dirleton Castle hase some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240.
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Edinburgh Street Historians
The High Street Wellhead Old Assembly Close,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1QX
The Edinburgh Street Historians are a group of local, Edinburgh-based tour guides, who want to tell the story of the city in a way which is different from other tour companies.
READ MORE
Prestongrange Museum
Prestongrange Museum Morrisons Haven,
Prestonpans EH32 9RX
Prestongrange is a free open-air museum, that tells 700 years of industrial heritage history. Family friendly, with lots to see and do!
READ MORE
All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links
National War Museum
Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.
READ MORE
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery
Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.
READ MORE
The Georgian House
The Georgian House, Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture with its elegant furnished interior, is located at No. 7 Charlotte Square in the centre of Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Hopetoun House
Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland's finest stately home at its heart.
READ MORE
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
READ MORE
John Knox House
Dating back to 1470 John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history!
READ MORE
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
READ MORE
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens lies at centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas.
READ MORE
Lauriston Castle
When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.
READ MORE
The Real Mary Kings Close
Edinburgh's deepest secret, the Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath the Royal Mile... a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century!
READ MORE
Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle hase some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Street Historians
The Edinburgh Street Historians are a group of local, Edinburgh-based tour guides, who want to tell the story of the city in a way which is different from other tour companies.
READ MORE
Prestongrange Museum
Prestongrange is a free open-air museum, that tells 700 years of industrial heritage history. Family friendly, with lots to see and do!
READ MORESponsored Links
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