Overlooking the city of Edinburgh from its perch on a tapering hill of volcanic rock, the Edinburgh Castle is instantly recognizable and may be considered Scotland’s most treasured monument.http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/story/story-about-the-castle.htm It is the oldest building in Scotland, original fortifications dating back to the early 7th century when it was named "Din Eidyn" or "the stronghold of Eidyn." By this time Edinburgh Castle had become the place of royalty, office to the sheriff of Edinburgh, storehouse and military garrison of the royal gun train, and home to the nation's crown jewels and important documents.

Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most visited attraction averaging over 1,000,000+ visitors each year.http://www.scottishtours.co.uk/index.asp?id=163 The castle is run and cared for by the Scottish government agency, Historic Scotland. http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/

Not built all at once, the castle has undergone various additions since its initial construction. The oldest portion, St. Margaret's Chapel, was erected in the 12th century by her son David I. The Great Hall was built by King James IV around 1510, the Half Moon Battery later that century by the Regent Morton and the Scottish National War Memorial after the end of World War I.http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,SIG48101Svs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html

Visitors may purchase tickets online during the peak season at the official website.http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index.htm Tickets are also sold on site at the ticket office until 45 minutes before closing. http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/plan/tickets/tickettypes.htm The main attractions typically require two hours to view.

Visiting Hours:

• Edinburgh Castle is open year round, except December 25 and 26
• On January 1 it is open from 11am to 5pm (last entry at 4:15 p.m.)
• Between April 1 and September 30, the castle is open between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Between October 1 and March 31, hours are between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

*Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tours

Complimentary guided tours are conducted by stewards. Audio guides in various other languages are available for purchase at the ticket counter or in advance online. Braille guides are also available on request from the ticket office. The Crown Jewels exhibition includes Braille interpretation on the jewels.http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour/highlights/highlights-guided-tour.htm

• Scottish Crown Jewels: The royal crown, sword and sceptre are some of the oldest pieces of royal memorabilia in Europe.http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_121&PropName=Edinburgh%20Castle
• St. Margaret's Chapel, the Royal Apartments and The Great Hall are the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, all built before 1512.http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_121&PropName=Edinburgh%20Castle
• Mons Meg: Originally manufactured in 1457 for castle battlements, this canon returned to Edinburgh Castle in 1829, where it has remained since.http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_monsmeg.htm

The castle has many smaller, intricate areas within its gates but is made up of two main parts, the Upper Castle and Lower Castle.

Contains the outer gate, lower ward, Half Moon Battery, One O'clock Gun, Old Guard Room, Portcullis Gate, and the castle's main entry.

The Upper Castle

Contains the main royal palace, Mons Meg, the Great Hall, the Queen Anne building and St. Margaret's Chapel. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/edinburghcastle/upper.html

General visitor services are available from the main Visitor Information Area just past the main ticket office. Here you can find basic necessities for your visit, such as camera film, bottled water and castle gifts. The castle offers other facilities as well.http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/plan/essentials/facilities.htm

Gift Shops

The castle has three gift shops: Main gift shop, Crown gift shop and the Edinburgh Castle Bookshop. Whether you are seeking basic souvenirs, clothing, informational and historic books, or exclusively designed jewelry, the various gift shops are stocked and well organized for all your purchase needs.

Food

The two dining options at the Edinburgh Castle offer many food options. The Queen Anne Cafe offers traditional Scottish food, from light soups and sandwiches to hearty meals of haggis, neeps and tatties. The Redcoat Cafe, as implied by its name, has food more accustomed to England's traditions. Here you can find roasts, vegetables, soups and salads. Both locations serve alcohol, including Hendrick's Gin, distilled locally in Scotland.http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/plan/essentials/cafes.htm

BAA Edinburgh is the closest airport, where there is an express bus service (Airlink 100) to Edinburgh city center. The service runs every 10 minutes at peak times in the day and every 30 minutes at night. Tickets cost £3.00 (single) and £5.00 (return) and can be bought from the information desk at International Arrivals at the airport or on the bus. The journey takes about 25 minutes and terminates at Waverly Bridge, near to the main railway station.

Waverley Station is on the east end of Princes Street, with the castle visible and accessible from its exits. From Princes Street, travel up Waverley Bridge, The Mound, Mound Place and Ramsay Lane to arrive at the castle esplanade.