Places to see: Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a fascinating place to visit any time of the year. I went on New Years Eve and thoroughly enjoyed my day there. It dominates the city's skyline, an impressive building perched high on Castle Rock. It has over 2000 years of history to tell, starting in the year 2 AD when it was an early Iron Age settlement. It has been a Royal Castle since King David was in power in the 12th century, and involved in many historical conflicts and is renowned as "the most besieged place in Britain and one of the most attacked places in the world". Once you approach the castle from the road below, you can't help but be in awe of it...............

Once you have bought your ticket, from inside the outer walls you can have an audio guide to tell you more of the castle's turbulent history - or you can follow the map and discover things for yourself.

Here is my journey around the castle and it's fascinating buildings......................

An outer gate like this one has defended a fortress here for almost 2000 years.

Below is one of Europe's biggest siege guns called Mons Meg which was built in 1449 in Flanders. It could fire large stones of up to 330 pounds in weight - over 2 miles!

The panoramic views from high up on the battlements were incredible....................

St Margaret's Chapel is the oldest building in the castle (and in Edinburgh) and dates from 12th century. King David had it built, dedicated to his mother Saint Margaret of Scotland who died in 1093 - it is still used now for religious ceremonies such as weddings.

Half Moon Battery is a prominent feature on the eastern side of the castle and was erected between 1573-1588 around the ruins of David's Tower which survive beneath this area - to protect the area from bombardment.

Wherever you go there are endless views from the castle walls .........................

I loved the Great Hall which was built between 1503 -13 as a majestic area for King James 4th's ceremonial occasions. Under the short rule of Oliver Cromwell, in 1650, it was converted into soldier's barracks - but it has now been restored and it is still used for State and Royal functions.

This medieval hall has some wonderful collections of arms and Armour; I also found the stained glass windows very interesting - as they have details of Scotland's previous monarchs.

Walking from building to building - there were so many interesting and unusual sights.

Discover how prisoners of war lived in the castle in the 1700's and 1800's.

As you see there is so much to see and to learn in this fascinating castle. There is also the Crown Room and Royal Palace, which is home to the Stone of Destiny and is where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James 6th. And if you still have time and energy there is the National War Museum which is made up of 3 separate regimental museums.

There are 3 gift shops (one selling Whiskey and Fine foods) and 2 cafes within the castle - so there is no excuse if you are feeling tired and in need of a sit down and some refreshments.

As I was there on New Years Eve, they were getting ready for the Hogmanay Firework display.

The city was lit up ready for the special Hogmanay celebrations that evening.............

Lastly, walking back down from the castle, there are more interesting places to visit, unusual buildings to admire, whisky shops to call into, gift shops selling traditional ware, and countless historical places to find. Edinburgh has more to offer that its castle - but I will tell you more about that another time.