What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 6pm Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm Thursday 9:30am - 6pm Friday 9:30am - 6pm Saturday 9:30am - 6pm Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Edinburgh Castle

Home
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle

Keep up to date with us and share your memories of Edinburgh Castle. Part of Historic Environment Scotland. Twitter and Instagram:

A trip to Scotland’s capital isn’t complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Part of The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site and standing majestically on top of a 340 million year-old extinct volcanic rock, the castle is a powerful national symbol. Fascinating to explore and simply unmissable.

26/06/2024

🏰Have you experienced our scrumptious afternoon teas?

It's National Cream Tea Day this Friday, and it's got us thinking about food 😍 and more importantly our luxury afternoon tea experience.

👀Take a look at our latest blog and perhaps indulge on a experience you wont forget! https://ow.ly/ncAk50Sp3g3

21/06/2024

Happy World Selfie Day! 🤳

We think the castle is one of the best selfie spots - it's not often you can capture the magic of history against a backdrop of rugged Scottish mountain crags. ✨

Share your epic selfie view with us below! 👇

20/06/2024

A wee today to not so long ago when we saw the Northern Lights above Scotland! We thought they looked so beautiful in Edinburgh, especially above the castle 💜💚💜

📸undertheblossomtree_gifts on Instagram

18/06/2024

Good Afternoon,

We are doing some essential maintenance on our webstore this evening. Please be advised that you will be unable to purchase tickets after 7pm for a couple of hours.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

17/06/2024

Have you seen Mons Meg?

This isn't your average cannon. Once seen as cutting-edge military technology, it weighs a massive six tonnes (that's roughly the weight of four cars🚗🚗🚗🚗)

Find out more 👇
edinburghcastle.scot/see-and-do/highlights/mons-meg

📍Located outside St. Margaret’s Chapel

15/06/2024

Please note that today (Sat 15 June) there will be a gun salute at the castle to mark the Official Birthday of His Majesty The King at 12noon.

13/06/2024

👀What a view! We love a cannon photo of the city from the castle!

Have you taken one when visiting us at the castle?
Share with us in the comments😍

📸IG/akellyphotographs

08/06/2024

It’s World Gin Day – and what better way to celebrate than with our very own, exclusive Edinburgh Castle gin? Made in collaboration with the award-winning Edinburgh Gin distillery, the flavour is inspired by the city’s gorse-clad spring landscape finished with pink pepper for a kick of heat! 💛🍸

Exclusively available in our gift shop and online store -
https://ow.ly/p3NL50S8A6g

07/06/2024

163 years ago today marked the first firing of the One o’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle. Originally designed as a time marker to assist sailors on the Forth set their chronometers, it has only been used once in hostilities, attempting to shoot down German Zeppelins dropping bombs on Edinburgh during the First World War.

Learn more about the secrets of Edinburgh Castle in our official souvenir guidebook available to buy on Stòr https://ow.ly/PS8r50Qp95m 🏰

02/06/2024

❤Calling All Swifties! Eras Tour next weekend? ️
Looking for some Tay-tastic fun while you’re in the city? ️

We've teamed up with Visit Edinburgh for the Taylored Tasting Trail! ✨ Check it out here: https://ow.ly/xlhW50S4lve

Come and explore the Castle, the defender of the nation and then treat yourself to some delightful taylor inspired treats!

🍕Shake it off with our "Look What You Made Me Dough" pizza - it's so good, you'll be singing its praises!

🍹Cool down with a "Cruel Summer Spritz" - a refreshing raspberry & elderflower cocktail. Feeling 22 (or any age 18+)? Celebrate with our "22 G&T" featuring Botanist Gin!

🧁Top it all off with a delicious "Lavender Haze" cupcake or a "Lover" shortbread!

🎫Advanced booking is required - https://ow.ly/HhxE50S4lvf

01/06/2024

Scottish hero Robert the Bruce is commemorated with a statue at the entrance to the castle - right next to William Wallace!

We have a brand-new range to honour him and celebrate the 750th anniversary of his birth, created by a Scottish designer in partnership with Historic Scotland, featuring bold and vibrant designs ✨

Check out the new collection on our online Stòr: https://stor.scot/collections/robert-the-bruce-new

25/05/2024

�Join our fabulous castle guides as they take you on a journey through time, be entertained by tales of kings and queens of the past.

That's not all - as you explore with our guides, soak in the beautiful views of the castle & capital! �

More info �https://t.co/vz5V42AUBx

22/05/2024

Happy Wednesday😊

🏰Quick update that tickets are sold out for today. Thursday to Sunday mornings are also getting pretty busy.

Looking for weekend plans? Book your tickets to the castle in advance at www.edinburghcastle.scot/tickets

If you are heading to the Castle, remember to tag us in your photos 📷 We love to see your castle adventures.

20/05/2024

Happy World Bee Day! 🐝

The honey sold at our castle shops is supplied by local company Edinburgh Honey Co.. They set up their own community based hives to produce their honey, with all of their packaging coming from sustainably sourced materials.

We're so happy to hear that their favourite Historic Scotland site is us - but we might be a bit biased 🤭

Discover our World Bee Day collection, including Edinburgh Honey at https://stor.scot/collections/world-bee-day

19/05/2024

The castle bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun.
Sunsets in Edinburgh never disappoint😍

📸 IG - akellyphotographs

16/05/2024

On this day in 1617, King James VI of Scotland, also known as James I of England, made a significant visit to the Castle. This marked a double commemoration: his golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years on the Scottish throne, and his first return to Scotland since assuming the English crown.

Head over to our blog to learn more about this fascinating monarch! https://ow.ly/H68I50RGOgY

What's the furthest you've ever travelled to celebrate a milestone?

15/05/2024

🏰Dreaming of exploring a historic castle?
We've got you covered!

Head over to our website and discover awesome themed itineraries. Whether you're short on time or love to soak up every detail, there's a perfect plan for you👇
https://ow.ly/8cxs50RGMZZ

🎫The castle can get pretty busy, especially as we gear up to the summer months. To make sure you don't miss out, grab your tickets online beforehand 👉https://ow.ly/urtp50RGMZY

Once those online tickets are gone, that's it for the day, so book ahead for an adventurous day!

13/05/2024

Celebrate World Cocktail Day with our Orange & Thyme Whisky Sour! 🍸

Complete with our exclusive Edinburgh Castle whisky - distilled and bottled in Scotland, and mixed by you into the perfect cocktail for evening indulgence. Just in time for World Whisky Day later in the week. 😉🥃

Get your perfect cocktail ingredient on our online Stòr or in our Whisky and Finest Foods shop.

Shop now: https://ow.ly/HfwS50RE5jp

11/05/2024

A little cloud never hurts when it comes to views of the castle like this! We love seeing the blue sky and the castle together🥰

🎫Make sure to guarantee your castle entry and pre-book at https://ow.ly/RhLm50QqTgV Also save money on the entrance price by booking online.

We hope you all have a lovely weekend🏰

10/05/2024

Good morning🌞

There's only one more day until the weekend 🥳
Get ready to plan a castle adventure.

The castle is sold out Saturday & Sunday morning, so make sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment👇
www.edinburghcastle.scot/tickets

🏰We look forward to seeing you at the castle very soon!

06/05/2024

Please note there will be a gun salute today (Mon 6 May) at the castle to mark the date of the Coronation of His Majesty The King at 12 noon.

04/05/2024

Happy Star Wars Day!

May the Fourth be with you, and your Saturday be filled with adventures and maybe even a selfie with the castle.

Plan ahead and see our full list of itinerary's round the castle 👇https://ow.ly/xJrg50Ruuae

Book your tickets in advance as we can get busy over the weekend👉 https://ow.ly/H7tl50RuEuT

👀Here is an old photo from 2012 when we had some extra special visitors.

02/05/2024

🌼Looking at these photos has been putting a serious spring in our step! Come and join us up here on Castle Rock.

Imagine yourself exploring the majestic grounds of our historic castle. Uncovering the fascinating stories passed on through the centuries. It's a chance to soak up the fresh air, learn some history, and create lasting memories.

But wait, there's more! As National Gardening Week🌸 is upon us, why not make a full day of it? Extend your adventure with a stroll through the beautiful Princes Street Gardens to see the castle from a different perspective.

Ready to book your springtime adventure? Head over to our website👇 www.edinburghcastle.scot/tickets to guarantee your tickets and save money.

28/04/2024

🌸Who else has been enchanted by this springtime magic?

These beautiful cherry blossoms, introduced to the UK in the late 19th century known as "Sakura" in Japanese, have transformed our city into a pink paradise the last couple weeks.

Have you seen the Castle framed by the vibrant blooms in person yet? Don't miss it - the blossoms won't last forever! ⏳ Get your photos now!

📍Cherry Blossom view point of the castle can be located from Princes street.

25/04/2024

🏰Have you walked up the Lang stairs on your visit to the castle?

They used to be the only entrance! Imagine climbing those 70 steps every time! 😮

But fear not if you are still to visit us, this is not the only way to the summit of the castle. In the 1600s, there was an alternative route created to the top with no steps involved! This more gentler route that winds up and around the cobbled hill was created for moving heavy guns.

Take a look the next time you visit, Which path will you pick?

23/04/2024

Are you ready for World Book Night tonight? 📚

We're getting stuck into books about the castle's history. Full of royal kings and queens, battle, sieges, hidden treasures, and political intrigue, our historical stories can inspire you to make every night book night!

Check out our collection of Edinburgh Castle books for children and adults alike on our online Stòr and delve into the stories of the Defender of the Nation. 🏰

https://stor.scot/collections/books-stationery/by-site_edinburgh-castle

21/04/2024

☕Are you ready to "spill the tea" on this National Tea Day?

🏰Did you know you can indulge in an afternoon tea experience, catch up with friends or family, and be in awe of all the historic charm of the castle?

🎫Book your place today at https://ow.ly/hGnF50RhXz8 and celebrate in true royal style.

18/04/2024

Happy !

Today, we take a moment to celebrate our city!

From us here at the castle to the charming streets of the new town, every corner tells a story.

Edinburgh's rich tapestry of history and culture, tied in with a timeless beauty, has captivated locals and visitors from all around the world!

14/04/2024

Happy Birthday to a fellow institution of the capital, The University of Edinburgh - established by a royal charter from King James VI on 14 April 1582. This empowered the town to create a college of higher education. Originally called Tounis (Town’s) College it went on to open its doors to students on 14 October 1583, with an intake of 90 students.

Since then, it has grown to have just under 50,000 students based in campuses across the city. You can learn the story of the University and its buildings in 'Building Knowledge – An Architectural History of the University of Edinburgh'.

The book features never-before-published archive material ranging from photographs, plans and drawings, to contracts, accounts and personal letters.

Available to buy on STOR, our online shop https://ow.ly/gsbM50RemEp 📚🎓

11/04/2024

All week we have been running family arts and crafts to make your own mini castle🏰

👀Take a look at some of the amazing fortresses that have been created. Each castle is a unique masterpiece🎨

💙Thank you to all our budding architects! We love them all!

Address

Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 6pm
Thursday	9:30am - 6pm
Friday	9:30am - 6pm
Saturday	9:30am - 6pm
Sunday	9:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+441312259846

Website

http://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Edinburgh Castle posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Edinburgh Castle:

Videos

Happy #WorldChocolateDay! In our latest Supplier Story you can get a sneak peek behind the scenes of Edinburgh based artisan chocolatiers - Quirky Chocolate - who make a range of distinctly Scottish flavours exclusively for Edinburgh Castle and Historic Scotland. 🍫 These delicious chocolates are available from our castle shops and on our online Stòr: https://ow.ly/x9yT50St0Bw

Good Afternoon, We are doing some essential maintenance on our webstore this evening. Please be advised that you will be unable to purchase tickets after 7pm for a couple of hours. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Happy World Bee Day! 🐝 The honey sold at our castle shops is supplied by local company Edinburgh Honey Co.. They set up their own community based hives to produce their honey, with all of their packaging coming from sustainably sourced materials. We're so happy to hear that their favourite Historic Scotland site is us - but we might be a bit biased 🤭 Discover our World Bee Day collection, including Edinburgh Honey at https://stor.scot/collections/world-bee-day

Celebrate World Cocktail Day with our Orange & Thyme Whisky Sour! 🍸 Complete with our exclusive Edinburgh Castle whisky - distilled and bottled in Scotland, and mixed by you into the perfect cocktail for evening indulgence. Just in time for World Whisky Day later in the week. 😉🥃 Get your perfect cocktail ingredient on our online Stòr or in our Whisky and Finest Foods shop. Shop now: https://ow.ly/HfwS50RE5jp

History Makers

So great to see History Makers like Kirsty - a modern apprentice up at Stirling Castle - sharing her passion for the castle's history with visitors! Kirsty is just one of many staff members at Historic Environment Scotland who use their diverse skills to protect Scotland's heritage. Whether employing traditional techniques or embracing digital innovations, our History Makers are vital in keeping Scotland's history alive - and you could be one too! Find out more about how you could be a History Maker like Kirsty 👇

We're coming to the end of National Storytelling Week, and we'd love to share one of our Supplier Stòr―ies with you! Quirky Chocolates are produced locally in Edinburgh by a dedicated team and sold in our shops at the castle and online 🍫 Check out the collection of delicious chocolates handmade in Edinburgh on Stòr: https://ow.ly/qHlR50QwO49

⚠Important information for Wednesday 31 January Please note that due to the forecasted high winds and yellow weather warning the Castle will be closed tomorrow. 🎫 Pre-booked tickets will be automatically refunded. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope to welcome you back soon🏰 #HSclosure

✨Happy Hogmanay! All the best for the new year from everyone at Edinburgh Castle. 🏰We can't wait to welcome you all through the castle doors in 2024!

✨As daylight fades, Castle of Light emerges and casts its magical spell on the castle. If you haven't visited yet, what are you waiting for? Join the crowds who have been loving the magic & mystery so far! 👉www.castleoflight.scot Selected dates until the 3rd of Jan!

🎁🎄Celebrate the festivities with us this weekend at Castle of Light. #CastleOfLight is the perfect way to spend a festive evening with family & friends ✨ 🔮This week, the magic & mystery takes over the castle from tonight until Saturday. Book your tickets at www.castleoflight.scot Animation created by the team at Interference Pattern

Afternoon everyone, 🏰Unfortunately, the castle will be closed through the day tomorrow due to the high winds forecast (Thursday, 21 Dec) 🎫If you have already booked tickets, you will be automatically refunded. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused. #HSclosure ✨#CastleOfLight Information for Thursday 21 December✨ We will review the weather conditions for Castle of Light tomorrow. We recommend you check here from 1 pm tomorrow, as a closure notice will be posted here first.

Give the past as a present this Christmas! 🎄🎁 Purchase a Historic Scotland gift membership today, and your loved ones will get free access to all our open sites and daytime events, including the castle, for a whole year. Order now, and we will send you a downloadable voucher to give as a gift on Christmas Day. 💻Buy now at www.giftmembership.scot

In the epic #BattleOfTheChristmasTrees we humbly surrender our winning reign to Stirling Castle . 🎄We may have lost the battle, but we all still love our tree🥰 Take a look behind the scenes and see just some of our fantastic staff involved in assembling and decorating to make it look so good. Thank you to everyone who voted and was involved in our festive battle🎁🎅

✨Castle of Light has well and truly taken over the Castle, and it has transformed into an enchanting night trail full of magical illuminations. 🃏🔮Enter the castle and experience a magical night to remember. We can’t wait for you to be transported to the spectacular world of Magic and mystery. Book your tickets online in advance at www.castleoflight.scot

✨Today is the day! Prepare to see the Castle transform this evening with a little Magic and Mystery into Castle of light! 📢This weekend is a sell-out, but you can still book tickets for December and January dates! Conjure a charming start to your festivities 👉 www.castleoflight.scot

Edinburgh Castle Clock

If you visited the castle earlier this year, you might have spotted scaffolding at the Crown Square. 👀 Our team was doing conservation work on the clock on the palace for conservation work. ⚒ We also brought in help from local painter David Givan, who worked on the clock the last time it was repaired. The clock is now back home and shining in all its glory! 🤩🕰 (May this be a gentle reminder to change your clocks tomorrow 😉)

✨It's not long until we wave a magic wand and transform the castle! With one month to go, we can't wait to show you all what we have been conjuring up for this year's Castle of Light 🔮 📆 Selected dates, Fri 24 Nov to Wed 3 Jan 🎫www.castleoflight.scot

🎃Get ready as the castle comes alive with the spirit of Halloween! Our castle guides are prepping for Halloween weekend. Join them on Sat 28 & Sun 29 Oct, as they regale you with eerie tales and curious histories from the castle. 🎫Book in advance & don't miss out on Creepy Castle Capers weekend. 🏰Included in castle entry 👉 https://ow.ly/3Jru50PZ59J

Afternoon everyone, 🏰Unfortunately, the castle will be closed due to the weather forecast for tomorrow. (Friday 20 Oct). 🎫If you have already booked tickets, you will be automatically refunded. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused. #HSclosure