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Edinburgh Castle

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Edinburgh Castle, Medieval castle at Castle Rock, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Description

The fortress occupies a volcanic plug rising 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level, protected by sheer cliffs on three sides with a single fortified approach from the east along the Royal Mile.

History

Archaeological evidence confirms occupation since the Iron Age, with the first documented royal fortress established in the 12th century under David I. The site endured 26 sieges before ceasing its role as a royal residence in 1633.

Culture

Home to the Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny, this fortress safeguards symbols of Scottish sovereignty used in coronation ceremonies since medieval times.

Practical

Allow two to three hours for a thorough visit. Purchase tickets online to bypass entrance queues. The site includes steep gradients and cobbled surfaces that may challenge visitors with mobility limitations.

Did you know?

The One O'Clock Gun has fired daily since 1861, excluding Sundays and certain holidays. Originally installed to help ships anchored in the Firth of Forth synchronize their marine chronometers without the expense of a ball drop signal.

Location
Inception
12 century
Accessibility
Acesso limitado para cadeira de rodas
Fee
Yes
Address
Edinburgh Castle, The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Opening Hours
abril 01-setembro 30 09:30-18:00; outubro 01-dezembro 23,dezembro 27-31,janeiro 02-março 31 09:30-17:00; dezembro 24 09:30-16:00; janeiro 01 11:00-17:00; dezembro 25-26 off
GPS coordinates
55.94870,-3.20073
Latest update
December 14, 2025 19:58

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Edinburgh).

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« Edinburgh Castle - Medieval castle at Castle Rock, Edinburgh, Scotland » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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