Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is the biggest visitor attraction in Edinburgh and Scotland, as such be prepared for allot of people and queues. My top tip is buy your tickets online and save some money. Edinburgh Castle has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret’s Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War.

The easiest way to get from Canon Court Apartments to the castle is by bus, take the bus no 23 or 27 from Brandon Terrace which is located around the corner from Canonmills and get off at George IV Bridge. It is then a short walk up the Royal mile to the Castle. If you do not want to take a bus the other option is a taxi, avoid taking your car as parking is not available at the castle or royal mile, you would need to park in the street further away or a car park and they are not cheap, traffic wardens are also constantly checking for illegal parkers , so  take either a bus, taxi or if you are feeling energetic walk it is 1.2 miles and will take you at least half an hour, please be aware it is up hill.
Edinburgh Castle is well worth a visit calculate a minimum of 2 hours but can easily take half the day to look at everything if you are listening to the audio guide which takes you on a tour around the castle and explains its dramatic history and architecture. These are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Mandarin.  

Audio Guide prices: Adults £3.50, Children £1.50, Concessions £2.50

There are also free guided tours available which are provided by the castle stewards.
Guided Tours

Tours set off every hour or 30 minutes in summer and every hour in winter, depending on the availability of guides. Tour duration is 30 minutes. To join a tour, go to the meeting point, which is through the Portcullis Gate, past the audio booth and by the clock on the right.

Castle Opening times:

If you do want a quick snack of coffee, there are two places you go to in the Castle either the Redcoat Café or The Tea Rooms.

Redcoat Café

The Tea Rooms

Admission prices are subject to change. Children under 5 years old go free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

*Proof of benefit may be requested at the checkpoint. The concession rate doesn’t apply to students.

For more information, go to https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/