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 | |
| Follow edinburghcastle on Twitter | |
| Facebook information can be found here | |
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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
Edinburgh 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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Callum Beattie
Castle Concerts, presented by Seat Unique, are delighted to announce that Callum Beattie (and special guests) will play Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on Friday 10th July!
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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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James Taylor
Castle Concerts, presented by Seat Unique, are delighted to announce that James Taylor will play Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday 14th July!
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Deacon Blue
Scottish pop rock titans Deacon Blue have announced a huge run of outdoor shows for summer 2026, including a date at Edinburgh Castle on Friday 17th July!
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Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol have announced a run of outdoor gigs next summer, including a date at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on Saturday 18th 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
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
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Road,
Edinburgh South EH16 4SY
Step inside Edinburgh's other castle, once a rural retreat from Scotland's capital!
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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.
READ MORE
National Museum of Flight Scotland
National Museum of Flight Scotland East Fortune Airfield,
EH39 5LF
Head off on a journey of discovery at this former airfield as you explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day
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The Tron Kirk
122 High Street,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SG
The Tron Kirk, or Christ’s Kirk at the Tron, has stood in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town for almost 400 years.
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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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Greyfriars Kirk
1 Greyfriars,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2QQ
Welcome to Greyfriars Kirk, a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since 1620.
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Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace Kirkgate,
Linlithgow EH49 7AL
Explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence.
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Newbattle Abbey
NA Newbattle Road,
Dalkeith EH22 3LL
Newbattle Abbey is set in 125 acres of beautiful parkland just outside Edinburgh and contains a wealth of Scottish history.
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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!
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The Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive,
Leith EH6 6JJ
Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years.
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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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All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh
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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
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
Craigmillar Castle
Step inside Edinburgh's other castle, once a rural retreat from Scotland's capital!
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
National Museum of Flight Scotland
Head off on a journey of discovery at this former airfield as you explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day
READ MORE
The Tron Kirk
The Tron Kirk, or Christ’s Kirk at the Tron, has stood in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town for almost 400 years.
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
Greyfriars Kirk
Welcome to Greyfriars Kirk, a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since 1620.
READ MORELinlithgow Palace
Explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence.
READ MORE
Newbattle Abbey
Newbattle Abbey is set in 125 acres of beautiful parkland just outside Edinburgh and contains a wealth of Scottish history.
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 MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years.
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 MORESponsored Links
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