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Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.

Edinburgh Castle

About Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG
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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.


Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Castle

Castle Of Light

21st November 2025 - 4th January 2026

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

25th January 2026

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

10th July 2026

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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Garbage

11th July 2026

Featuring hometown hero Shirley Manson, American alternative rock band Garbage have announced a headline show at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on Saturday 11th July!

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Critical Role Live

12th July 2026

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

14th July 2026

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

17th July 2026

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

18th July 2026

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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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban In Concert with the RSNO

19th July 2026

Experience Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban like never before as the Scottish National Orchestra brings John Williams’ spellbinding score to life live in concert at Edinburgh Castle!

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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

7th August 2026 - 29th August 2026

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns from 7th to 29th August 2026 with the show 'A Call To Gather'.

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Related Links

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

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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John Gray Centre

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX

The John Gray Centre brings together East Lothian Council’s Archaeology, Museum, Archive and Local History Services, alongside Haddington’s branch library.

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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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Museum of Childhood Edinburgh

42 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1TG

The Museum of Childhood has a place in the hearts of millions. The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, it displays toys and...

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The Cadies & Witchery Tours

84 West Bow, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2HH

The award-winning Cadies & Witchery Tours invite you to join their fearless phantoms for a suspenseful and mirth-filled tour of Edinburgh's Old Town!

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The Edinburgh Dungeon

31 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history as you see, hear and errr smell Edinburgh’s murky past!

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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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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.

READ MORE

Newhailes House and Gardens

Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

Discover 300 years of Scottish history through the magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa that is Newhailes House and Gardens!

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Auld Reekie Tours

45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

Take a journey into the dark side of old Edinburgh's history touring the haunted underground vaults with Auld Reekie Tours!

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Panmure House

4 Lochend Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BL

Panmure House is a 17th-century townhouse located in Edinburgh's Canongate. It is the only surviving residence of renowned Scottish philosopher Adam Smith, who lived there between 1778 and 1790.

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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
All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
WST
Local Motive Markets
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
The Chocolatarium
Fayre Play
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG
Hostelworld

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
WST
Local Motive Markets
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
The Chocolatarium
Fayre Play
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
A Christmas Story
The Ukrainian Youth Partnership are proud to A Christmas Story, performed by and choreographed by the children and adults of the Ukrainian community.
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!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Around the World Starflyer
Try it if you dare! The Starflyer is back at Edinburgh's Christmas giving the finest, and most thrilling, views of the stunning city centre skyline!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall