Have I mentioned that every route we take in Edinburgh is uphill? Pretty much nothing further uphill than Edinburgh Castle since it’s built on the site of an extinct volcano! It was worth it because the views of the city were spectacular and we were blessed with a bright and clear day!
Given that we were tired and not feeling great from the prior night’s festivities, we didn’t get to see all the sights, but we did spend time in the National War Memorial and went into the royal palace to see the crown jewels.
Fun Castle Facts:
- Every day (except Sundays and holidays) they fire the One o’clock Gun, a tradition dating back to the mid-1800s. The original gun was a 64-pounder but since 2001, a 105mm field gun has instead been fired from the Mills Mount Battery.
- Edinburgh Castle rests on Castle Rock, a rock that got formed 350 million years ago. It is 130 meters (430 ft) above sea level, with rocky cliffs to the South, West, and North and accessible routes on the East.
- Edinburgh Castle was built in 1103, making it well over 900 years old.
- Despite being over 35 meters deep, the Fore Well (the castle’s main water supply until the 19th century) never held enough water to meet the demands.
Map of the Castle Grounds
- Portcullis Gate
- Lang Stairs
- Argyle Battery
- One O’Clock Gun
- National War Museum
- Governor’s House
- New Barracks
- The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
- Museum of the Royal Scots and Royal Regiment
- Foog’s Gate
- St Margaret’s Chapel
- Mons Meg
- Dog Cemetery
- Argyle Tower
- Forewall Battery
- Half Moon Battery
- David’s Tower
- Royal Palace
- The Crown Jewels
- Great Hall
- Scottish National War Memorial
- Prisons of War Exhibition
- Dury’s Battery
- Military Prison