MY GUIDE TO THE SPECTACULAR EDINBURGH CASTLE IN SCOTLAND

If you’re planning a trip to the Scottish capital, then no doubt a visit to the famous Edinburgh Castle in Scotland will be high on your list of must-dos! Its commanding presence overlooking the city means you simply can’t miss it. Standing at the top of the famous Royal Mile, it’s naturally the best place to start your tour of this great city and learn all about its turbulent history.

My Birthday Adventures

My visit to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland also coincided with my birthday, where my mother, my husband Zac, and I got up super early, on a freezing cold November day, and caught the train there from Manchester for a day of adventure. After arriving in the capital early, we were determined to explore the Castle first and foremost; after all, it was at the very top of my birthday bucket list!

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Castle Hill

At the top of the Royal Mile stands Edinburgh Castle in all its glory. It commands a huge area that, when you’re inside, you’ll almost feel like you’re walking around a mini city within a city. You could easily spend a whole day here. We only had a few hours here, so, unfortunately, we didn’t get around to seeing everything. The big open space out the front of the fortress is called Castle Hill, where they hold the famous Edinburgh Tattoo show. I remember looking around while we were posing for photographs and marvelling at the sheer number of people that were there, especially considering how early it still was.

The Castle is carved into the rock at the top of the hill and is watching over the entire city. It really is the stuff of fairy tales. Throughout its history, it’s been fought over by the Scots and the English on many occasions. Over its lifetime, the Castle has withstood many sieges, especially during the ‘Wars of Independence,’ but still changed ownership many times. I love the daring story of the midnight raid undertaken by Thomas Randolph, a nephew of Robert the Bruce, and how he won the Castle back from the English.  

Over The Drawbridge, We Go!

We walked over a small bridge, which I reckon would have been a solid draw bridge back in the day. Flanked on either side are statues of kings or possibly knights, watching over those who pass beneath. We then passed under a gatehouse, where I could envision the iron portcullis slamming down into position to keep out unwanted guests.

Once inside the main gate, we were surrounded by thick stone walls, cobblestone paths and laneways, which made the ground very uneven if you were unsteady on your feet, like my Mum. But she’s a trooper, never complains and wouldn’t let minor things like a disability get in the way of seeing Scotland’s best Castle! We joined the long line and started queuing up for a good 20-30 minutes to get our tickets. My advice here would be to pre-book them, which you can do here. The queue when we left a few hours later was even longer!

I had a quick look around the gift shop once we were inside, and low and behold, what were they selling but Outlander merchandise? I was so excited to see my Jamie and Claire Frasier on mugs, t-shirts, etc.

Great Views

Once inside, the first place we explored was the castle ramparts. Being so high above the city meant we could get some commanding views, and as it was such a clear day, we could see right out to sea and beyond! From this vantage point, I got to see how hilly Edinburgh was! It made it easy for me to spot Carlton Hill, perched high above the city. It’s certainly a steep walk to the top, but you’ll be rewarded with more great views while also visiting the famous National Monument. Dedicated to novelist Sir Walter Scott after his death in 1832, it’s apparently still unfinished.

If you follow the cobblestones around, they will lead you past the Argyle Battery and the One o’clock Gun Cannon, fired most days at this time on the dot. We also passed ‘The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum,’ which we didn’t go into, instead opting for a look around the ‘Museum of Royal Regiment of Scotland,’ just across the way. It’s full of original military uniforms from several hundred years ago, where you can learn about the past battles in Scotland’s fight for independence, as well as the more recent combat uniforms of modern times.

There was an interesting section on the Jacobite rebellion from 1745. Anyone who’s familiar with Outlander or Scotland’s past will know about this moment of history all too well, for it was the event that tore Claire from Jamie’s life. Sob! Those pesky English! (Shakes fists!)

Somebody Has a Strange Sense of Humour!

It was nearly lunchtime, so we decided to have something to eat. We headed to the café within the grounds, where I was pretty surprised to learn the restaurant’s name: The Redcoats Café. Somebody has a wicked sense of humour! That’s the British for you! For those who don’t know, the red coats were the name the Scots gave to the English soldiers stationed in Scotland during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Anyway, the café is excellent, though a little pricy, but not too eye-watering. Plus, if you can snag a table by the window as we did, you’ll have a beautiful view of the city of Edinburgh. I ordered a deliciously warm and hearty soup with bread, perfect for the cold, wintery weather, which warmed me right up. I topped it off with a large latte (which I carried around so my hands wouldn’t drop off due to frostbite!) and a lush piece of carrot cake – yum! Mum ordered the same, and of course, Zac ordered toasted sandwiches – his staple when we go anywhere! He was not impressed when I asked him if I could have a bite. But how rude would I be, dear reader, if I couldn’t tell you how good they tasted today? So, obviously, it was purely for research purposes! LOL!

St. Mary’s Chapel

Back out into the icy cold Scottish weather, with a hot coffee in hand and warm food in our bellies, we were once again equipped to deal with the arctic conditions! We resumed our exploration of the Castle by continuing where we left off before lunch.

Following the cobblestone path past the museums to the top of the hill, we came across the small but quaint St. Marys Chapel. This lovely building was encircled by manicured gardens and simple wildflowers, adding a nice touch of colour when surrounded by so much stonework. It’s actually the oldest church in Scotland, so definitely worth a look inside.

My Favourite Part of the Castle

Just a short walk away; we came across what turned out to be my favourite area of the Castle – The Great Hall. It was built for King James IV (1488-1513) for ceremonial occasions until the killjoy known as Oliver Cromwell turned it into a soldier’s barracks in 1650. This man was responsible for lopping off the head of King Charles I of England, getting rid of the monarchy and starting a republic. He then ordered the destruction of many palaces and castles throughout England and Wales to be sold or repurposed. He also banned pretty much everything, such as Christmas and… well, fun by all accounts. Luckily, the monarchy was restored in 1660, though, and life returned to normal. The Great Hall was rebuilt in 1887 and is still used for state and royal functions. I’m sure miserable old Cromwell would be turning in his grave!

We stepped inside the hall, which had a lovely original fire going, giving off a lovely cosy feel. It was decorated with rich wooden panelling that went about a third of the way up the walls, with painted gold patterns around the edges. Displayed above were different swords and knives arranged in a circular pattern, which really stood out against the red painted walls. To top off the grandeur, the room had cathedral ceilings, which had exposed beams, typical of the style back then.

Around the edges of the room were artifacts on display, as well as a few awesome suits of armour. It’s funny what comes to mind while exploring these historical palaces. I thought of the knight this suite of armour might have belonged to, galloping through the night to bring an important letter to the King. Then, once arriving at the Castle, he would warm himself by the huge fire in The Great Hall. This scenario basically describes every medieval book I’ve ever read – ever! Also, if there’s a fireplace, that’s exactly where you’ll find me.

The Royal Pad

Before we left, I went on my own to explore the Royal Apartments next door while Zac and my Mum waited by the fireplace to keep close to the warmth. There would have been many famous occupants of these rooms over the years, but the most infamous has to be Mary, Queen of Scots. She reigned from 1542-1567 before being forced to abdicate and later imprisoned in England for the of her life. She was beheaded in 1587 on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I.

Some rooms had extravagant details (as you would expect), such as a beautiful white fireplace carved with leaf designs and the royal crest around the mantel. There was also elaborate ceiling work in an intricate Celtic pattern, with King’s heads, flowers, and other objects sculpted into the design. But as far as palaces go, it was nowhere near as lavish as other royal abodes I’ve visited in the past, like Hampton Court Palace or Windsor Castle.

Things We Didn’t Get To See

Don’t forget to pay a visit to the ‘Honours of Scotland,’ they are something which I missed out on due to lack of time but seeing Scotland’s Crown jewels as well as the famous ‘Stone of Destiny’ would be incredible. Plus, they are way older than England’s Crown jewels, as miserable Cromwell never got his grubby mitts on them, or he no doubt would have melted them down like the rest of them.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

How to get to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland?

It’s pretty easy to get to the Castle. Simply head to the top of the Royal Mile, the city’s main thoroughfare. You can’t miss it – literally!

Can you buy tickets on the day?

Yes, you can, but you run the risk of not being able to visit, as tickets often sell out in advance. Once tickets are sold out online, they’ll be no more available at the gate on the day. The best thing to do is purchase them in advance. You can buy your tickets here from Viator today.

How much does it cost to enter the Castle?

Ticket  Type                                                     Online Price             Gate Price

Adult (16-64 years)                                                     £18.00                         £21.00

Concession (65+ years and unemployed)                   £14.50                         £17.00

Child (5-15 years)                                                        £11.00                         £12.50

Child (0-4 years)                                                          Free                             Free

Family Ticket 1 (1 Adult, 2 Children)                           £35.50                         £41.50

Family Ticket 2 (2 Adults, 2 Children)                          £52.00                         £60.50

Family Ticket 3 (2 Adults, 3 Children)                          £61.50                         £72.00

HM Forces (Valid MOD 90 card on arrival)                  Free                             Free

Carer                                                                            Free                             Free

STGA and SITOA (Valid ID card on arrival)                 Free                              Free

*** Buy your tickets here ***

Do you need to wear facemasks?

Facemasks are not enforced, but due to how busy the Castle will be when you visit, the Scottish Government highly recommends face masks for all, especially in crowded places or indoor settings.

What are the opening hours?                                                   

Castle                                                                 Opens              Closes

1 April to 30 September                                       9.30 AM            6 PM with last entry at 5 PM

1 October to 31 March                                         9.30 AM            5 PM with last entry at 4 PM

Eateries                                                               Opens              Closes

Red Coats Café                                                   9.30 AM              4 PM

The Tea Rooms                                                   10.30 AM            4 PM

** Revised hours for the Edinburgh Tattoo. Check the Edinburgh Castle website.

Some of the museums within the castle grounds are independently run by volunteers. Therefore, they may close earlier. The Castle is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Is the Castle Wheelchair Accessible?

Personally, I think anyone in a wheelchair would struggle to independently get around the grounds, as the surfaces are so uneven. There are many places where the grounds are cobblestones, as well as very steep walking paths up to the top of the Castle, where the chapel and the Great Hall are located.

That being said, the Castle really goes out of its way to try and be as inclusive to all abilities as possible. They have a specially adapted vehicle to bring people into the castle, which can be arranged at the front entrance. Adapted Toilets are available once inside to your left, as well as handrails installed, which are just some of the things which you’ll see.  

When is the best time to visit?

Definitely first thing in the morning. We got there a little after 10 am and had to queue for a short while to get tickets, so I would be inclined to join the queue around 15-minutes before opening times. If you can’t visit first thing in the morning, get there 2-hours before closing so you can explore without the crazy crowds.

Does anybody live in Edinburgh Castle?

Nobody currently lives here. The Royal Regiment of Scotland headquarters are housed here, though, and it’s had many famous occupants in the past.

Which is bigger, Edinburgh Castle or Stirling Castle?

Edinburgh Castle, but not by a Royal Mile (te he)!

What is there to see nearby?

So much! You can take a wander along the famous Royal Mile and check out the lovely shops, or perhaps by yourself a kilt? There are also several museums close by to explore, such as the Scottish National Gallery, the Writers Museum and the National Museum of Scotland. You can also check out St. Giles Cathedral, which is a lovely church close by, where you can escape the crowds or the Scott’s Monument, to name a few.

What hotels are near Edinburgh Castle?

Some options are the Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Princess Street), Double Tree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre and Hotel Novotel Edinburgh City Centre. Check out many places to stay near the Castle and in Edinburgh on Booking.com. 

Thanks for reading my post today on my visit to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. I couldn’t imagine exploring this wonderful city, without including a trip to its Number one tourist attraction, and rightly so! From its famous inhabitants of Robert, the Bruce to Mary, Queen of Scott, there is so much history to soak up, which is why we struggled to get around everything due to time constraints. There were many highlights for me, such as seeing the castle for the first time on Castle Hill and taking it all in, wandering around the Great Hall and Royal apartments imagining the famous people of the past who would have roamed these very rooms.

If you’re planning a visit, I would highly recommend spending at least three hours here due to it being so massive, and we still didn’t get to see everything. Next time I’ll definitely book our tickets ahead of time, so I can skip the line, as who wants to waste time in a queue if you can help it, right?

Have you visited Edinburgh Castle before? Are you planning on a trip here on your visit to the city? Let me know in the comments section below.

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