About this Attraction

Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body set up to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment.
From brochs, castles and palaces to abbeys, towers and tombs there are over 5000 years’ worth of history for you to enjoy.

Entrance Fees To Edinburgh Castle

Discover a world-famous icon. Perched on a volcanic plug, Edinburgh Castle has dominated the skyline of Scotland’s capital city for centuries.

Climb Castlehill to explore this mighty fortress and former royal residence, now a major part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scotland’s crown jewels are among the national treasures on display within the castle walls.

Known as the ‘defender of the nation’, Edinburgh Castle remains an active military base. An annual highlight is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held on Castle Esplanade every August.

Edinburgh Castle is also a popular filming location and appears in the film adaptation of the Irvine Welsh novel Filth, starring James McAvoy.

What to see and do:
– Be dazzled by the Honours of Scotland, Britain’s oldest crown jewels
– See the Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s inauguration stone, removed by the English in 1296 and returned in 1996
– Set your watch by the One o’Clock Gun, fired daily (except Sundays)
– Enter Edinburgh’s oldest building, St Margaret’s Chapel, built around 1130 by David I
– Admire the late-medieval ceiling of the Great Hall, built around 1510 for James IV
– Look for Mons Meg, a huge, late-medieval siege cannon, among the castle artillery
– Take in the panoramic views of Scotland’s capital city
– Explore the castle with our fun fact-finding quiz (also available in Brazilian-Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Welsh). Available on site.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Stone of Destiny is moving to the new Perth Museum. The last day to see the Stone at Edinburgh Castle is Sunday 10 March 2024. Please note, this means that bookings after this date will not see the Stone of Destiny on display. They will still be able to see the Honours of Scotland – the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State, which are amongst the oldest crown jewels in Europe.

OPENING TIMES:
1 April to 30 September
Daily, from 9.30am-6pm (last entry 5pm)
1 October to 31 March
Daily, from 9.30am-5pm (last entry 4pm)

The castle is closed on 25/26 December
On 01/01 the castle will be opening at 11.00hrs

Must be pre-booked.

Complimentary policy: one free tour leader ticket per group order.

The below ratios apply for groups arriving with children under 16 years:
Under 5s (1 adult for every 2 children)
Ages 5-7 (1 adult for every 6 children)
Ages 8-15 (1 adult for every 10 children).

Last Updated: 08.02.2024

How to find this Attraction

EDINBURGH CASTLE
Castlehill
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG
UK

Policies

CHILD POLICY: 7-15 years old charged at reduced rates (see tariff).

RATIOS FOR GROUPS TRAVELLING CHILDREN: Under 5s (1 adult for every 2 children), Ages 5-7 (1 adult for every 6 children), Ages 8-15 (1 adult for every 10 children).

CANCELLATION POLICY: 72 hours notice