Top 7 Castles around Edinburgh

On the forecourt in front of Edinburgh Castle, there are several monuments to important personalities and in memory of significant events. The forecourt is closed off by the impressively designed castle gate.

"Dalmeny House (...) is a Gothic revival mansion located in an estate close to Dalmeny on the Firth of Forth, in the north-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was designed by William Wilkins, and completed in 1817.[1] Dalmeny House is the home of the Earl and Countess of Rosebery. The house was the first in Scotland to be built in the Tudor Revival style.[1] It provided more comfortable accommodation than the former ancestral residence, Barnbougle Castle, which still stands close by. Dalmeny today remains a private house, although it is open to the public during the summer months." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmeny_House

Some lovely, quiet gravel trails around the edge of the estate.

Edinburgh Castle has been home to kings and queens for centuries. Queen Margaret (who later became a saint) died here in 1093. The chapel built in her honour by her son, King David I, is the oldest building in Edinburgh. St Margaret’s Chapel still hosts weddings and christenings today. The Great Hall, completed in 1511 for King James IV, hosted grand banquets and state events. But the king had little time to enjoy his new addition. James IV was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting English forces sent by his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII of England. Above the door to the Royal Palace are the gilt initials MAH – for Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. Mary gave birth to James VI at the Royal Palace in 1566. He became King of Scotland at the age of 13 months and united the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603. The Scottish Honours are the oldest crown jewels in the UK. Made of gold, silver and precious gems, they were created in Scotland and Italy during the reigns of James IV and James V. The crown, sceptre and sword of state were first used together to crown a monarch in 1543, when Mary Queen of Scots came to the throne. https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/the-castle/history

Edinburgh Castle is a world-famous icon of Scotland and part of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. Set on a massive rock, Edinburgh Castle’s strategic advantage is clear. Recognising the military potential of the site, Iron Age men built a fort on the rock. Early medieval poetry tells of a war band feasting here for a year before riding to their deaths in battle. As well as presiding over some of history’s greatest moments, the castle has suffered numerous sieges. It changed hands many times during the Wars of Independence. In 1314, the Scots retook the castle from the English in a daring night raid led by Thomas Randolph, nephew of Robert the Bruce. The castle’s defences have evolved over hundreds of years. Mons Meg, one of the largest medieval cannons ever made, was presented to King James II in 1457. The crescent battery, built in the aftermath of Lang's siege in 1573, was armed for 200 years by bronze guns known as the Seven Sisters. Six more guns defend the Argyle Battery, with an open view to the north. https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/the-castle/history

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest sites in Europe. With a long and rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, it is alive with many exciting stories. When you climb Castle Hill, you will be walking in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens – and even the odd pirate or two.

Explore the castle with an audio guide using your own mobile phone or one of our devices. Proceed to the audio booth (in the square in front of the castle) on arrival to rent a physical audio guide. Alternatively, you can purchase a downloadable version of the tour when purchasing your tickets online. We strongly recommend downloading the guide before your trip, as connectivity on the website may vary. Remember to bring your own headphones and ensure your device is fully charged. Adult £3.50, Senior (over 65) £2.50, Child £1.50. Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Dutch. Printed versions of the audio guides are available in both large print and open dyslexic large print. They are also available for download to your own device. Please ask a member of staff at the audio booth for a copy. You can also pick up a free copy of our orientation map upon arrival. https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/plan-your-visit/tickets

Tickets often sell out well in advance, especially during the summer months. Book your tickets online in advance to get the best price and guarantee entry. Once tickets are sold out online, no more tickets will be available at the castle. Ticket Prices in 2024 Ticket Type Online Price On-Site Price Adult (16-64 years) £19.50 £22.00 Over 65 years £15.50 £17.60 Child (7-15 years) £11.40 £13.20 Family (1 adult, 2 children) £38.50 £43.50 Family (2 adults, 2 children) £56.00 £63.50 Family (2 adults, 3 children) £66.50 £75.00 Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/plan-your-visit/tickets