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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.
View Edinburgh Castle in a larger map
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Other castles in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Auldhame Castle
Ballencrieff Castle
Barnbougle Castle
Barnes Castle
Bavelaw Castle
Borthwick Castle
Craigcrook Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Cramond Tower
Crichton Castle
Dalhousie Castle
Dalkeith Palace
Dirleton Castle
Dunbar Castle
Dundas Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Fa'side Castle
Fenton Tower
Hailes Castle
Hamilton House
Hawthornden Castle
House of the Binns
Innerwick Castle
Lauriston Castle
Lennox Tower
Lennoxlove House
Linlithgow Palace
Merchiston Castle
Midhope Castle
Niddry Castle
Northfield House
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Preston Tower
Redhouse Castle
Roslin Castle
Tantallon Castle
Whittingehame Tower
Yester Castle
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