Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.

About Edinburgh Castle

	Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG
	01312259846
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Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - Museums

Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been and inspired by it.

In the 1600s, the castle became a military base. Some buildings were rebuilt and new ones were raised to house a huge garrison - and provide a secure jail for prisoners of war.

The military presence remains unbroken, but over the last 200 years the castle has become a national icon. It is now Scotland's leading tourist attraction, and a key element of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

Come to the castle and hear the rest of the story.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Edinburgh Castle are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Castle

History

Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes

Selected dates between 6th May 2024 - 14th November 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark various special occasions!

Music

Manic Street Preachers + Suede

10th June 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Two of the UK’s most influential and iconic rock bands Manic Street Preachers + Suede have announced a massive co-headline tour for summer 2024 with a date at Edinburgh Castle on 10th July!

Music

Madness

5th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Madness have announced a series of outdoor UK and Ireland shows for summer 2024, including a date at Edinburgh Castle on Friday 5th July!

Music

JLS - The Summer Hits Tour 2024

9th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Castle Concerts are delighted to announce that JLS will bring The Summer Hits Tour 2024 to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on Tuesday 9th July!

Music

The National

11th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Castle Concerts are delighted to announce that one of the world’s biggest indie-rock bands The National, will be playing at the castle on Thursday 11 July 2024!

Music

Skipinnish: Celebrating 25 Years

12th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Castle Concerts are delighted to announce that Scotland's celebrated Celtic rock band Skipinnish will play at the castle to celebrate their 25th anniversary, on Friday 12th July!

Music

Paul Weller

13th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

Paul Weller, one of the UK’s most enduring music greats, will play Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 13 July!

Music

Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone In Concert with the RSNO

14th July 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in Concert on Sunday 14th July in the spectacular setting of Edinburgh Castle!

Nights Out

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

2nd August 2024 - 24th August 2024

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns from 2nd to 24th August 2024!

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.

History and Culture

Traquair House

Traquair House , Innerleithen EH44 6PW

Traquair is a unique piece of living history welcoming visitors from all over the world. Enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, Garden Cafe and the famous Brewery!

History and Culture

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF

Connecting Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland.

History and Culture

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House Hopetoun, South Queensferry EH30 9SL

Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland's finest stately home at its heart.

History and Culture

Auld Reekie Tours

45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

Take a journey into the dark side of old Edinburgh's history touring the haunted underground vaults with Auld Reekie Tours!

History and Culture

Surgeons Hall Museums

Surgeons Hall Museums Nicolson Street, Edinburgh South EH8 9DW

Surgeons' Hall Museums is home to one of the largest and most historic collections of surgical pathology in the World, open to the public since 1832.

History and Culture

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.

History and Culture

The Edinburgh Dungeon

31 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history as you see, hear and errr smell Edinburgh’s murky past!

History and Culture

Trinity House

99 Kirkgate, Leith EH6 6BJ

Trinity House was once the base of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters and this elegant Georgian house now holds an outstanding collection of maritime treasures.

History and Culture

Panmure House

4 Lochend Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BL

Panmure House is a 17th-century townhouse located in Edinburgh's Canongate. It is the only surviving residence of renowned Scottish philosopher Adam Smith, who lived there between 1778 and 1790.

History and Culture

Greyfriars Kirk

1 Greyfriars, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2QQ

Welcome to Greyfriars Kirk, a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since 1620.

History and Culture

The Real Mary Kings Close

2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG

Edinburgh's deepest secret, the Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath the Royal Mile... a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century!

History and Culture