Scottish Castles

Local information

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh and the Lothians

Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG (map and directions)

As the main feature of the skyline of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle sits atop an extinct volcano now known as Castle Rock. Edinburgh Castle is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the crown, sword and sceptre are displayed along with the Stone of Destiny, the coronation seat of Scottish Kings. Also of significance at Edinburgh Castle are the Royal Palace and the Great Hall, as well as the Scottish National War Memorial and National War Museum of Scotland. In the care of Historic Scotland, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s second most visited tourist attraction and the most visited of Historic Scotland’s properties.

Edinburgh Castle © Stuart Caie

History of Edinburgh Castle

A royal fortress has stood here since the 12th century during the reign of David I, and was a royal residence until 1603 and the Union of the Crowns. Few of the buildings present today pre-date the 16th century, though St Margaret’s Chapel, built in the 12th century, survives as the oldest building in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle has seen much conflict throughout its history, including the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite Rising of 1745, and served as a military base from the 17th century. Since the 19th century various restoration programmes have been carried out on this castle, one of the most visited castles in the world.

Map and directions

Other castles in Edinburgh & the Lothians