Edinburgh

Agrandir le plan

Shortened history of the castle:

Edinburgh Castle is a castle-fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of this early settlement is unclear.

There has been a royal castle here since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

As one of the most important fortresses in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has been involved in many historical conflicts, from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century, up to the Jacobite Rising of 1745. From the later 17th century, the castle became a military base, with a large garrison.

Few of the present buildings pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, when the medieval fortifications were largely destroyed by artillery bombardment. The notable exception is St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, which dates from the early 12th century.

The castle also houses today the Scottish National War Memorial, and National War Museum of Scotland.

Opening hours and additionnal information:

Summer times (1 Apr - 30 Sep) : 9:30am - 6pm
Winter times (1 Oct - 31 Mar) : 9:30am - 5pm

Closed the 25th and 26th of December. On the 1st of January, the castle is only open from 11am to 5pm (last entry at 4:15pm).

Fees :

Adult - £13.00
Child - £7.00
Concession - £10.40
Child under 5 - FREE

Entry to Edinburgh Castle will be FREE on the 27th & 28th November for the St Andrews Day weekend. Entry will also be FREE on St Andrews Day (30th November).