Scotland: Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle

Town, Postcode, Attraction

Edinburgh Castle can trace its roots right back to before the Scottish nation (as we know it) existed. There has been some form of fortified building on Castle Rock since before records began but some evidence exists that the Romans were aware of a settlement there around the first or second Century.

Any evidence that a fort existed prior to this is mostly based in legend and is somewhat speculative. However, with such a prominent position, it is highly likely that the site has been inhabited since man first appeared in Scotland. The most credible evidence points to inhabitation during the late Bronze Age and, possibly, the early Iron Age.

The Irish annals are a rich source of information about the history of Ireland but also includes important aspects of the history of Scotland. A "Din Eidyn" and the "stronghold of Eidyn" are mentioned in some of the many poems. The first true mention of a castle in Edinburgh appears around the time of King Malcolm III.

The oldest building in Edinburgh Castle is St. Margaret's Chapel (a Category A listed building, shown i n the photograph to the left). It was built by David in the 12th Century, although legends state that St. Margaret herself worshipped there.

During the time of King Robert the Bruce all of the buildings in Edinburgh Castle were destroyed and only the Chapel was left standing. At the time of the Protestant Reformation the Saints held no importance and the Chapel fell into disrepair and from the 16th Century it was used to store gunpowder.

There are many buildings within the Castle and we hope to eventually return to this subject to add more details. If you are interested in castles you may also be interested in visiting the excellent Stirling Castle.

The 1 o' clock cannon at Edinburgh Castle

Contact Details

Edinburgh Castle,
Castle Hill,
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG

Tel: 0131 225 9846

Web: http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/

Getting To Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh is hilly so if you are disabled you will appreciate the disabled parking at the Castle (call 0131 310 5114 to book). Arriving by train you will arrive at Waverley Station on Princes Street, the main railways station in Edinburgh. From Princes Street it is possible to pick up a taxi/cab or take the short, but tiresome, walk up to the Castle esplanade by walking up Waverley Bridge, The Mound, Mound Place and then up Ramsay Lane.

Nearest Railway Stations	Nearest Car Parks	Nearest Airports
Waverley Station	Castle Terrace NCP	Edinburgh Airport
	Johnston Terrace NCP	Tel: +44 (0) 870 040 0007
	Disable at Castle Tel: 0131 310 5114

Opening Times

Opens: 9.30am
Closes: 5.15pm April to September and 4.15pm during the other months

Hotels Near Edinburgh Castle

(Hotels closest to castle first - all hotels within half a mile)

Name	Miles	Location	Star
Witchery by The Castle 352 Castlehill , Edinburgh, EH1 2NF	0.1	Edinburgh	5*G
Apex International Hotel 31-35 Grassmarket , Edinburgh, EH1 2HS Rooms from: £125.00*	0.2	Edinburgh	4*
Apex City Hotel 61 Grassmarket , Edinburgh, EH1 2JF Rooms from: £90.00*	0.2	Edinburgh	4*
The Grassmarket Hotel 94-96 Grassmarket , Edinburgh, EH1 2JR Rooms from: £54.50*	0.2	Edinburgh	2*
Hotel Missoni 1 George IV Bridge , Edinburgh, EH1 1AD Rooms from: £135.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	5*
Novotel Edinburgh Centre 80 Lauriston Place , Edinburgh, EH3 9DE Rooms from: £119.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	4*
Castle View Guest House 30 Castle Street , Edinburgh, EH2 3HT Rooms from: £40.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	3*G
Mercure Edinburgh Point Hotel 34-36 Bread Street , Edinburgh, EH3 9AF Rooms from: £85.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	3*
Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh Hotel Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB Rooms from: £124.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	5*
Best Western Edinburgh City Hotel 79 Lauriston Place , Edinburgh, EH3 9HZ Rooms from: £71.20*	0.3	Edinburgh	3*
Frederick House Hotel 42 Frederick Street , Edinburgh, EH2 1EX Rooms from: £55.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	4*G
The Roxburghe Hotel 38 Charlotte Square , Edinburgh, EH2 4HQ Rooms from: £80.75*	0.3	Edinburgh	4*
Ramada Edinburgh Mount Royal Princes Street , Edinburgh, EH2 2DG Rooms from: £85.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	3*
Tigerlily 125 George Street , Edinburgh, EH2 4JN Rooms from: £120.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	4*
The Rutland Hotel 3 Rutland Street , Edinburgh, EH1 2AE Rooms from: £125.00*	0.3	Edinburgh	4*
53 Frederick Street Edinburgh 53 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1LH Rooms from: £80.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	3*G
Tailors Hall Hotel 139 Cowgate , Edinburgh, EH1 1JS Rooms from: £57.85*	0.4	Edinburgh	2*G
Old Waverley Hotel 43 Princes Street , Edinburgh, EH2 2BY Rooms from: £75.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	3*
Ricks 55a Frederick Street , Edinburgh, EH2 1LH Rooms from: £85.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	4*G
The Hudson Hotel 9-11 Hope Street , Edinburgh, EH2 4EL Rooms from: £109.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	4*
Le Monde Boutique Hotel 16 George Street , Edinburgh, EH2 2PF Rooms from: £295.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	4*
The George Hotel 19-21 George Street , Edinburgh, EH2 2PB Rooms from: £92.65*	0.4	Edinburgh	4*
Hotel Du Vin Edinburgh 11 Bristo Place , Edinburgh, EH1 2QN Rooms from: £135.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	4*
The Scotsman 20 North Bridge , Edinburgh, EH1 1TR Rooms from: £140.00*	0.4	Edinburgh	5*