Visiting Edinburgh Castle Scotland, the mighty fortress in the heart of Edinburgh is considered a 'Must-do' while in town. The World Heritage Site sure has a lot to offer with the crown jewels, centuries of history and stunning views of the city. Have a look at the video and pictures of Edinburgh Castle to decide if you take the time to explore the stronghold.
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Visit Edinburgh Castle Scotland - Video
Here is a short video of my visit to the Edinburgh Castle Scotland. As always no aerials, no crazy shots, just what I saw to help you decide if it makes it on you itinerary.
One of the Top touristic attractions in Edinburgh, the Castle of Edinburgh is not for everyone : between the crowds, the price and the steep hill to get there, you should read the article to decide if you really want to see it.
PLANNING TIPS - Edinburgh Castle Scotland
How to get the Edinburgh Castle - Access
- I cannot miss it, the fortress is on the hill in the middle of the city.
- You can walk the Royal mile up to the caste entry or use the stairs on the side of the hill.
- Edinburgh Castle Parking: There is a parking at the bottom of the hill on the left side of the Royal mile when facing the castle. However considering the limited parking place in the city a lot of locals are using it and it gets full very quickly
- It is best to leave the car outside of the city and use public transportation or hop on hop off busses
- Planning a trip to Scotland? The castle is included both my eBooks:
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Visiting Edinburgh Castle Scotland
- Edinburgh Castle prices: £19.50 at the entry
- Edinburgh Castle Tickets: You can buy on site after queueing of buy fast track tickets online at a very good price to avoid the long queue at the ticket booths. You just have to go through the very quick queue to validate your ticket
- Possibility to buy the Royal Edinburgh ticket which includes also the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia and 48h and the bus tours for £51 as of 2016
- Or if you are visiting several places in Scotland, consider the Scotland Explorer Pass
- Edinburgh Castle Opening times: 9:30am to 6pm from 25 Mar to 30 sept - 9:30am to 5pm in Winter - last ticket sold 1 hour before closing time
- Plan at least 2 hours to visit the place
- Several bathrooms and cafés on site
Best time to visit the Edinburgh Castle Scotland
This is one of the most visited places in Scotland. So there is not really a good time...
Of course early morning, you will get less crowds.
Accommodations in Edinburgh
Check out the best rated accommodation in Edinburgh
or find suggestions in my article about where to stay in Scotland
Views of Edinburgh Castle Scotland - Pictures
Let's start by giving you an overview of the fortress. The Edinburgh Castle is not a what you traditionally think is a castle. It is more a medieval fortress at the top of the hill. Have a look with these views of Edinburgh Castle from different spots in the city
Photo of Edinburgh Castle from the walk from Princes Street Garden
Let's start by my favorite view of Edinburgh. Get down inside the Garden on Princes Street. From this angle is looks less like a fortress as you see several buildings.
I love the combination of nature and history. And you can clearly see the Edinburgh castle hill.
View from the walk from the Castle parking
Below is a picture of the Edinburgh castle as you walk towards it from the carpark.From this side, you have a great view of the wall and see how well protecte it is with the steep cliff under.
Edinburgh Castle photo from the walk up to Calton Hill
Image of Edinburgh Castle from the top Edinburgh Calton Hill :
And below is the view you get once your reach the top of Calton Hill. The castle is in the distance. It is a beautiful place for sunset - Check our my article.
From Princes Street:
How to get to Edinburgh Castle
Accessing Edinburgh Castle is not easy. You may be tired before starting the visit. There is no way to reach the entrance with transportation, you will have to walk uphill.
I think the easiest way is to get to a stop at the top of the Royal mile and walk from there.
if you pick the castle stops on the Hop on hop off tours, then you have a lot of steps ahead of you as the stop is on the side of the castle.
Lower Level of Edinburgh Castle Scotland - pictures
After entering the Castle you can enjoy the Lower level with cafés and nice views of the city (photos later in the article)
This little square was one of my favorite, it was down on the right while walking the main street up the castle.
Photos from inside Edinburgh Castle Scotland Upper Level
Most of the highlights are in the upper part of the fortress (yes more walking uphill...)
From there you can see the external part of the stronghold and enter the square with all the main buildings where royals used to live.
This canon is called Mons Meg and weighs 6 tons!!!! At the time it required 100 men to be moved.
Monuments to visit inside the Castle of Edinburgh
Below are the monuments you can visit in Edinburgh Castle Scotland.
St Margareth Chapel
The chapel was built in about 1130 dedicated to Saintly Queen Margareth who lived in the castle in the late 1000s. The monument is quite simple but the stained glass is stunning.
Scottish national War memorial
The Edinburgh Castle is also home to the Scottisch national war memorial.
Great hall
Inside the buildings you can discover the Great Hall, a large room with sculpted woods and many weapons displayed.
Scottish Crown Jewels
The Scottish Crown Jewels are also in display in the castle. They include the crown, sceptre and sword used in the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. No photos allowed inside.
Narrow steps to get in the display room.
The Royal Apartments
You can also see several rooms of the Royal apartments. However after visiting many castles in Scotland and in France, I found those rooms not really fascinating.
Views from Edinburgh Castle Hill
One of the best things about visiting the Edinburgh Castle Scotland, is that you are on a hill in the middle of the city. So you can get really nice views of the surroundings. However I must admit that I preferred the views from Calton Hill.
Want to see more of SCOTLAND?
What do you think, does it make it on your itinerary?
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